Endobronchial Visualisation
- Bronchial Washings and Lavage (BAL)
- Bronchial Brushings
- Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA)
- Endobronchial and Transbronchial Lung Biopsy (BLB/TBLB/TBB
It is one of the most effective ways of diagnosing lung diseases such as Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Lung cancer Bronchitis, Sarcoidosis and a host of other diseases involving lungs, airways and lymph ods inside the chest (mediastinal glands).
It could also be used, therapeutically for :
- removing foreign bodies from the airways
- to place a stent (a tiny tube) to open a collapsed airway
due to pressure by a mass or tumor - to remove a mass or growth that is blocking the airway
- for temporary control of bleeding from the airways.
The various therapeutic procedures performed include:
- Endobronchial LASER
- Airway Dilatation and Stent placement
- Brachytherapy catheter placement
- Balloon Tamponading
- Foreign Body Removal
The procedure is simple and safe in expert hands. There are usually little or no complications from this procedure. Some of the possible complications include:
- Fever: A mild fever may occur but is rare. Over-the-counter fever medicine will help.
- Nosebleed: Since the lining the nose is very delicate, a nosebleed may occur. Typically, it will stop on its own.
- Stridor: If one has stridor, it may temporarily get worse due to the effect of the medicine used during the procedure.
- A change in voice or noisy breathing may occur, but is also usually temporary.
- Wheezing: patients with a history of lung disease, such as asthma, may need additional medication to treat signs of wheeze both prior to and after the procedure.
- Hemoptysis : some amount of blood may appear on coughing for a day or two in patients in whom TBNA or TBB have been performed but is usually self limiting.
- Pneumothorax : the chances of lung rupturing and air leaking out are there but very low. This occurs only if TBB has been performed.
