What does a lung endoscopy do?

A pneumonoscope, also known as a bronchoscope, is an instrument mainly used to diagnose and treat lung diseases. The most advanced advantage of a pneumonoscope is that it can detect many diseases that are hidden deep in the trachea and lungs and are difficult to detect. Pneumoscopy can effectively diagnose lung tumors and bronchial diseases, allowing us to detect diseases early and treat them early. In daily life, if you feel discomfort in your lungs, do not delay and go to the hospital for examination and treatment as soon as possible.

Bronchoscopy can not only diagnose lung diseases but also perform various treatments within the trachea. Among them, the role of diagnosis is the most well-known to the public. With the development of technology, the diameter of bronchoscopes has become smaller, and lower bronchi can be examined. The scope of examination has also been expanded, and even the edge of the lungs can be used for biopsy. It is not only very intuitive, but also can be used to perform cell brushing and alveolar lavage through bronchoscope, and other related pathological examinations. For example: For patients with lung shadows and suspected lung cancer, tumors in the trachea can be detected early, and cancer cells can be found through bronchial brushing, biopsy, and lavage fluid, and early diagnosis can be made; patients with hemoptysis can accurately find the bleeding site; patients with atelectasis can directly see the cause of bronchial obstruction; patients with severe infections can also accurately find pathogens through bronchial brushing bacterial culture; for some long-term chronic coughs of unknown causes, bronchial endocrine cytological analysis can be performed, which is very meaningful for diagnosis. In short, many diseases can be diagnosed through bronchoscope smears and biopsy pathological examinations. Early tracheal endothelial lesions and the range of lesions can also be observed through some advanced equipment, such as bronchoscopic ultrasound and fluorescent bronchoscope, which are beyond the reach of ordinary X-rays and CT. Therefore, its indications are becoming more and more extensive, allowing the causes of many lung diseases to be identified as soon as possible and then receive early treatment.

Common diseases that require bronchoscopy include:

1. Benign and malignant tumors of the bronchi and lungs;

2. Endobronchial and pulmonary tuberculosis;

3. Patients with unexplained coughing up blood or blood in sputum;

4. If CT or X-ray finds localized lung shadows of unknown nature, this examination should be done more actively;

5. The diagnosis of diffuse shadows and the causes of atelectasis and obstructive pneumonia are very meaningful;

6. Diagnosis of pulmonary infectious diseases;

7. Patients with unexplained persistent cough or chronic cough whose nature and frequency have changed recently;

8. Unexplained hoarseness.

In short, we found that in clinical work, many diseases are discovered in their early stages through X-rays and bronchoscopy, and early diagnosis is particularly important for patients with lung cancer.

The bronchoscope is usually inserted through the nasal cavity or mouth. The doctor will also perform various anesthesia according to the situation, and it is not too painful. It can be said that as long as the patient establishes a good attitude and actively cooperates with the treatment. Most patients are not very aware of the therapeutic effects of bronchoscopy. In fact, its role in treatment is no less than that in diagnosis. To put it simply, it can suck out obstructions such as sputum and foreign objects in the trachea, clear secretions, repeatedly suction, flush, and lavage the local lungs, locally infuse drugs, guide tracheal intubation, and observe mucosal changes after intubation. In more complex cases, it can be used to remove tumors in the bronchi using local electrosurgery or argon gas surgery. It can also be used directly to stop bleeding, place stents for tracheal stenosis caused by various causes, and perform local radiotherapy.

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