Quick answer
Bronchoscopy lets a specialist look inside the airways using a thin camera. It may be recommended in selected situations to help with diagnosis or treatment.
What is bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is a test. A specialist uses a thin camera to look inside your airways. It is used in some cases only. It can help find a cause. It can also help with treatment.
Why might my doctor recommend it?
Bronchoscopy is one of several ways to look at the airways. For most people, it is not the first test. Dr. Katranji may suggest it in a few cases. One is a cough that keeps coming back. Another is coughing up blood. A third is a spot on a chest X-ray or CT scan that needs a closer look. Dr. Katranji can also take a small sample of tissue or fluid. He does this when the cause is not clear.
What happens after the test?
Dr. Katranji reads the findings with your symptoms and your other results. The test on its own does not make a diagnosis. He explains what the camera showed and how that fits into your care. If samples were taken, they go to the lab. That report comes back later.
Not for emergencies. If breathing difficulty is severe or getting worse quickly, call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Common questions
Do I need a referral?
Tests are recommended according to the clinical question after a consultation, and not every patient needs every test. [VERIFY referral and insurance requirements with the clinic.]
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