X? s? Ronglong h?m nayBronchoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the lungs, including the bronchi, which are the main pathways into the lungs. During bronchoscopy, the pulmonologist inserts a thin tube containing a light and camera into the lungs through the nose or mouth. The camera sends images of the lungs on to a TV screen which are used by the Pulmonologist to diagnose the disease. The test is mostly done under local anaesthesia so that there is no discomfort to the patient as the thin tube goes inside. Doctors use bronchoscopy to detect the cause of breathing difficulties and lung problems, such as tumors, infection, and bleeding. During the procedure, a doctor may also insert stents in the airways or take a biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of tissue for testing.
A doctor may recommend a bronchoscopy to:
Follow up on a scan that has indicated a lung infection or tumor, or a collapsed lung
X? s? Ronglong h?m nay Determine why someone is coughing up blood
X? s? Ronglong h?m nay Find the cause of a chronic cough
X? s? Ronglong h?m nay Discover the reason for shortness of breath
Look for blockages in the airways
Check for lung rejection, following a transplant
Assess damage after someone has inhaled chemicals or toxic gases
Take a biopsy
Most people are awake during a bronchoscopy. Before the procedure, a doctor sprays a local anesthetic into the nose and throat to numb the area. Many people also take a sedative to help them relax. Doctors only recommend a general anesthetic in rare cases, when they will be using a rigid bronchoscope.
X? s? Ronglong h?m nayThe best chest specialist and pulmonologist with vast experience in performing bronchoscopy in India is Dr Nikhil Malhotra who is available at Siddh Hospital Moradabad. Procedure can be done on day care basis. A large number of patients who are long time smokers develop lung problems which could be Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) or Lung Cancer. Most of the lung problems can be diagnosed on a Chest X-Ray or High Resolution Lung CT Scan (HRCT). Some of the tumours in the lungs are better diagnosed by doing Contrast Enhanced Chest CT Scan. However for absolute confirmation before starting any treatment, the doctor would always like to do Lung Biopsy using a Bronchoscope which leaves nothing to chance in making the correct diagnosis. The problem with biopsy is that if the sample is not taken from the right place then the results would also be misleading. Experience of the Pulmonologist plays a very important role in such cases.
The hospital stay for Bronchoscopy procedure is few hours and the cost would be Rs. 8-10 thousand including the cost of the day long stay at the hospital. The report is mostly available within few hours of doing the test. However the Biopsy report may take 3-5 days.