Abstract
Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is the term that describes invasive, direct visualization of the airways via the flexible bronchoscope for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe procedure that is performed by pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons to inspect the proximal and distal airways, reaching the lung parenchyma. It is easy to use; it has minimal sedation requirements and a great safety profile, facts that account for its popularity. Flexible bronchoscopy has drastically evolved as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for pulmonologists over the last five decades. We discuss the evolution of the bronchoscope from its historical applications to today’s bronchoscopy, with all its technological advances. Also, we review indications, contraindications, patient preparation, and complications encountered. There are numerous adjunct modalities and tools available for use with the flexible bronchoscope for a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic indications, some of which are discussed in detail during the course of this chapter.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Interventions in Pulmonary Medicine |
| Publisher | Springer International Publishing |
| Pages | 15-33 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319580364 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783319580357 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
Keywords
- Bronchoalveolar lavage
- Cryobiopsy
- Endobronchial ultrasound
- Flexible bronchoscopy
- Therapeutic bronchoscopy
- Transbronchial lung biopsy
- Transbronchial needle aspiration
- Ultrathin bronchoscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology