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| Flexible Bronchoscopy Service
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Diagnostic bronchial biopsy, washing
and brushing, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchoscopic
lung biopsy under fluoroscopy, bronchoscopic needle
aspiration and biopsy and therapeutic (bronchial
toilet, brachytherapy, laser therapy, balloon
dilatation) procedures. This is performed mainly
in the Endoscopy Centre and is usually done on
an outpatient basis.
A bronchoscopy is an exam of the
inside of the lungs using a thin flexible tube
called a bronchoscope. Reasons for doing the exam
include :
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- Find the cause for cough or hoarseness
- Determine presence of mucous and removal of
excess mucous
- Find the cause of coughing up blood
- Check for the cause of abnormal chest x-ray
- Get mucous samples (washings)
- Take tissue biopsies
- Diagnose airway injury
- Diagnose tumors, tuberculosis or other infections,
obstructions, or any other abnormal findings.
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| Before the Exam |
| Before the exam, a nurse will give
the patient medicine to relax. Through an IV, the
patient will receive medicines to continue relaxation,
reduce coughing, dry the mouth and throat, and reduce
discomfort. |
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| During the Exam |
| A nurse will watch the patient's
comfort, blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm,
and amount of oxygen in the patient's blood. Nostrils
and throat will be numbed with an anesthetic jelly
or spray. An oxygen tube will be placed in one nostril.
A bronchoscope will be passed through the other
nostril, down the throat and into the lungs. This
should cause only slight discomfort or a cough.
As the scope is moved, the doctor will numb the
area ahead of it by spraying with an anesthetic
liquid. The entire exam, from start to finish, will
take about 30-60 minutes. |
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| Medical Thoracoscopy Service |
| This service provides for the diagnosis
and palliation of patients with pleural diseases
of various types. It is normally done at the Endoscopy
Centre under deep sedation. |
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