Bronchoscopy Health Article

What abnormal results mean

• Abnormality in the bronchial wall
• Enlarged (dilated) tubular vessels
• Enlarged glands or lymph nodes
• Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or tuberculosis
• Irregular bronchial branching
• Lung cancer
• Narrowing (stenosis) of the trachea
• Swelling (inflammation)
• Tumor
• Ulceration

What the risks are

The main risks from bronchoscopy are:

• Bleeding from biopsy sites
• Infection

There is also a small risk of:

• Arrhythmias
• Heart attack
• Low blood oxygen
• Pneumothorax

In the rare instances when general anesthesia is used, there is some risk for:

• Breathing difficulties
• Muscle pain
• Change in blood pressure
• Slower heart rate
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Vomiting

There is a small risk for:

• Heart attack
• Kidney damage

When a biopsy is taken, there is a risk of hemorrhage. Some bleeding is common. The technician or nurse will monitor the amount of bleeding.

There is a significant risk of choking if anything (including water) is swallowed before the anesthetic wears off.

Special considerations

After the procedure, your gag reflex will return. However, until it does, do not eat or drink anything.

To test if the gag reflex has returned, place a spoon on the back of your tongue for a few seconds with light pressure. If you don't gag, wait 15 minutes and try it again. Make sure that you don't use any small or sharp objects to test this reflex.

References

Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Murray JF, Nadel JA. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2005.

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:2474.