Bronchoscopy at Mayo Clinic

Bronchoscopy is a specialized procedure used to examine the airways and lungs, diagnose respiratory conditions and obtain tissue or fluid samples when necessary. A pulmonologist inserts a thin bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and into the airways to evaluate abnormalities, collect samples and perform selected therapeutic procedures. Bronchoscopy may be used for lung nodules, abnormal chest imaging, persistent cough, airway disorders, suspected infections and suspected lung cancer.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of bronchoscopy depends on the type of procedure, specialist consultation, anesthesia or sedation, imaging guidance, biopsy or sampling requirements, laboratory and pathology testing, facility charges and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's individual medical needs.

Complete Description

What Is Bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows specialists to directly examine the trachea and bronchial airways using a thin flexible or specialized bronchoscope.

It may be used for:

• Diagnosis of lung disease

• Evaluation of abnormal chest imaging

• Lung nodule assessment

• Lung cancer diagnosis

• Airway abnormalities

• Persistent cough

• Recurrent respiratory infections

• Collection of tissue or fluid samples

• Selected therapeutic procedures

Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

Diagnostic bronchoscopy is performed to investigate abnormalities identified through symptoms, imaging or other medical tests.

It may help evaluate:

• Lung nodules

• Lung masses

• Abnormal chest CT findings

• Persistent cough

• Unexplained bleeding

• Airway abnormalities

• Suspected infection

• Suspected cancer

Flexible Bronchoscopy

A flexible bronchoscope is a thin, bendable instrument that can pass through the airways.

It allows specialists to:

• Visualize the airways

• Identify abnormalities

• Collect tissue samples

• Collect respiratory secretions

• Perform selected airway procedures

Flexible bronchoscopy is commonly used for diagnostic pulmonary evaluation.

Airway Examination

During bronchoscopy, specialists may examine:

• Trachea

• Main bronchi

• Smaller bronchial passages

• Airway lining

• Abnormal growths

• Narrowed areas

• Obstructions

• Bleeding sites

The findings may help determine the underlying respiratory condition.

Bronchoscopy for Lung Nodules

Bronchoscopy may be used to investigate selected lung nodules.

Depending on the nodule's location, specialists may use advanced bronchoscopic techniques to obtain tissue for diagnosis.

Evaluation may include:

• CT imaging review

• Bronchoscopic navigation

• Tissue sampling

• Pathology examination

• Molecular testing when appropriate

Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Bronchoscopy may help diagnose suspected lung cancer by allowing specialists to obtain tissue samples.

Samples may be examined to determine:

• Cancer type

• Tumor characteristics

• Molecular features

• Treatment-related information

The appropriate sampling method depends on the location and characteristics of the abnormality.

Bronchoscopic Biopsy

A biopsy involves obtaining tissue from an abnormal area for laboratory and pathology examination.

Bronchoscopic biopsy may be considered for:

• Lung lesions

• Airway abnormalities

• Lymph nodes

• Suspected tumors

• Other selected pulmonary conditions

Endobronchial Ultrasound

Endobronchial ultrasound uses ultrasound technology during bronchoscopy to visualize structures surrounding the airways.

It may assist with evaluation and sampling of:

• Mediastinal lymph nodes

• Hilar lymph nodes

• Selected masses

• Other structures near the airways

It can be particularly useful during lung cancer staging.

Lymph Node Sampling

Bronchoscopy may be used to obtain samples from lymph nodes located around the lungs.

This can help determine whether cancer or other disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

The samples are examined by pathology specialists.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage

During bronchoscopy, specialists may perform bronchoalveolar lavage by introducing sterile fluid into a portion of the lung and collecting it for analysis.

The collected sample may be evaluated for:

• Infection

• Inflammation

• Abnormal cells

• Other pulmonary conditions

Airway Secretion Collection

Bronchoscopy may allow specialists to collect mucus or other respiratory secretions for laboratory testing.

Testing may help identify:

• Bacterial infections

• Fungal infections

• Other infectious organisms

• Abnormal cellular findings

Bronchoscopy for Respiratory Infection

Bronchoscopy may be considered when a respiratory infection is:

• Severe

• Recurrent

• Difficult to diagnose

• Not responding to standard treatment

• Associated with an abnormal airway or lung finding

Samples collected during the procedure may help identify the underlying infection.

Bronchoscopy for Persistent Cough

Persistent or unexplained cough may sometimes require bronchoscopic evaluation.

The procedure can help identify:

• Airway abnormalities

• Obstructions

• Abnormal growths

• Inflammation

• Other structural causes

Other diagnostic tests may also be performed depending on the patient's symptoms.

Bronchoscopy for Airway Obstruction

Bronchoscopy can help identify narrowing or blockage within the airways.

Possible causes include:

• Tumors

• Foreign bodies

• Scar tissue

• Inflammation

• Other structural abnormalities

Selected obstructions may also be treated during bronchoscopy.

Therapeutic Bronchoscopy

In selected cases, bronchoscopy can be used for treatment as well as diagnosis.

Therapeutic procedures may address:

• Airway obstruction

• Abnormal tissue

• Excessive secretions

• Selected airway narrowing

• Certain bleeding problems

The appropriate technique depends on the underlying condition.

Airway Stent Placement

Selected patients with significant airway narrowing may be evaluated for airway stent placement.

A stent can help maintain an open airway in certain situations.

The decision depends on:

• Cause of obstruction

• Location

• Severity

• Overall medical condition

• Treatment goals

Removal of Airway Obstructions

In selected circumstances, bronchoscopy may be used to remove an obstruction from the airway.

Potential causes may include:

• Foreign material

• Abnormal tissue

• Blood clots

• Excess secretions

The appropriate technique depends on the nature and location of the obstruction.

Bronchoscopy for Airway Bleeding

Bronchoscopy may help identify the source of bleeding within the airways.

It may assist with:

• Locating the bleeding area

• Obtaining diagnostic samples

• Managing selected bleeding situations

Significant coughing up of blood requires prompt medical evaluation.

Advanced Bronchoscopic Techniques

Selected pulmonary centers may use advanced bronchoscopic techniques for complex diagnostic and therapeutic situations.

These may include:

• Endobronchial ultrasound

• Navigational bronchoscopy

• Specialized biopsy techniques

• Airway interventions

• Other image-assisted procedures

The technique selected depends on the patient's condition and treatment goals.

Navigational Bronchoscopy

Navigational bronchoscopy uses advanced technology to help guide the bronchoscope toward selected areas of the lung.

It may assist with biopsy of certain peripheral lung lesions that are difficult to reach using conventional bronchoscopy.

Bronchoscopy Preparation

Before the procedure, patients may receive instructions regarding:

• Fasting

• Medication use

• Blood-thinning medications

• Previous medical conditions

• Allergies

• Sedation or anesthesia requirements

Specific preparation instructions depend on the procedure and patient's medical condition.

Sedation and Anesthesia

Bronchoscopy may be performed using sedation or anesthesia depending on:

• Procedure type

• Patient condition

• Expected duration

• Complexity of the procedure

• Institutional protocols

The medical team determines the appropriate approach.

Bronchoscopy Recovery

After the procedure, patients may be monitored for:

• Breathing

• Oxygen levels

• Blood pressure

• Heart rate

• Recovery from sedation

Patients may receive instructions regarding eating, drinking, medication and activity after the procedure.

Bronchoscopy Pathology and Laboratory Testing

Samples obtained during bronchoscopy may be sent for:

• Pathology

• Cytology

• Bacterial testing

• Fungal testing

• Other specialized laboratory analysis

Results help determine the diagnosis and guide further treatment.

Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer Staging

Bronchoscopy, particularly when combined with endobronchial ultrasound, may help determine whether lung cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Accurate staging is important for selecting the most appropriate treatment.

Bronchoscopy Second Opinion

Patients with abnormal chest imaging or a recommended bronchoscopy may seek a specialist evaluation before proceeding.

The specialist may review:

• CT scans

• PET scans

• Previous bronchoscopy reports

• Pathology results

• Laboratory testing

• Previous treatment

This can help determine whether bronchoscopy or another diagnostic approach is appropriate.

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant medical records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Chest CT scans

• Chest X-rays

• PET scans

• Previous bronchoscopy reports

• Pathology reports

• Laboratory results

• Pulmonary function tests

• Previous treatment records

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Bronchoscopy

Specialized bronchoscopy may help:

• Directly examine the airways

• Diagnose lung abnormalities

• Obtain tissue samples

• Evaluate lung nodules

• Diagnose lung cancer

• Assess lymph nodes

• Investigate respiratory infections

• Evaluate airway obstruction

• Perform selected therapeutic procedures

• Support personalized treatment planning

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Bronchoscopy?

Mayo Clinic provides specialized bronchoscopic evaluation through pulmonary teams that may work with thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other specialists.

Depending on the patient's condition, bronchoscopy may be used for advanced diagnosis, tissue sampling, lung cancer staging, infection evaluation and selected therapeutic airway procedures.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of bronchoscopy depends on the procedure type and additional diagnostic or therapeutic services required.

Potential costs may include:

• Pulmonology consultation

• Bronchoscopy procedure

• Sedation or anesthesia

• Imaging guidance

• Biopsy

• Pathology

• Laboratory testing

• Molecular testing

• Hospital or facility charges

• Follow-up consultation

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual medical needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is bronchoscopy performed?

Bronchoscopy may be performed to examine the airways, diagnose lung abnormalities, obtain tissue samples, evaluate infections or assess suspected lung cancer.

2. Can bronchoscopy diagnose lung cancer?

Yes. Bronchoscopy can allow specialists to obtain tissue or cell samples that can be examined by pathology to determine whether cancer is present.

3. Is bronchoscopy used to evaluate lung nodules?

Yes. Selected lung nodules can be evaluated using advanced bronchoscopic techniques and tissue sampling.

4. Is bronchoscopy painful?

Sedation or anesthesia is commonly used to improve comfort. The specific approach depends on the procedure and the patient's medical circumstances.

5. How much does bronchoscopy cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the type of bronchoscopy, anesthesia, biopsy, laboratory or pathology testing and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Bronchoscopy

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Service Type: Bronchoscopy

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA