La bronchial fibroscopy is a test that involves the introduction, through the upper airways (nose or mouth), a flexible tube called fibroscope ou endoscope.

It is a medical instrument made up of optical fibers (or optoelectronic components), a light source and a camera. The fiberscope also includes an operating channel, through which the doctor can take samples and small therapeutic gestures. At its end, the fiberscope can describe 360 ​​degrees.

During a bronchial fibroscopy, the fiberscope allows you to descend into the bronchi, passing through the trachea, in order to visualize them, to take a sample or to carry out a treatment.

Bronchial fibroscopy is done to diagnose or treat disease.

The doctor will, for example, have recourse to this examination in the following cases:

• if the patient has symptoms that make people fear bronchial lesion

• if an abnormality was detected on the x-ray or chest CT scan

• in case of’severe lung infection, to analyze bronchial secretions and identify the bacteria responsible for the infection

• in case of’respiratory failure, to suck up thick secretions that cannot be evacuated

• to check for the presence of cancer, by performing a biopsy (taking a piece of bronchial tissue to analyze it with forceps)

• to perform bronchoalveolar lavage (aspiration of liquid and injection of physiological serum)

• to remove a foreign body

• to insert a gastric tube

• or to deliver a drug into the bronchi.

It is generally recommended to have an empty stomach several hours before the exam.

The patient is placed under local anesthesia: this involves spraying an anesthetic on the nasal mucous membranes and the back of the throat, to numb the airways and avoid any unpleasant sensations associated with passing the fiberscope.

For comfort, it is also possible to perform a light general anesthesia, for example in children.

The doctor gently introduces the fiberscope, through a nostril or mouth. This passes into the trachea, through the vocal cords, into the bronchi. The exam usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes.

In order to avoid the wrong way (swallowing badly) due to the anesthesia, it is necessary to remain 2 hours on an empty stomach after the examination.

Bronchial fibroscopy allows the doctor to identify and localize any abnormalities in the walls of the bronchi.

In the event of samples being taken, the doctor will have to analyze the tissues in order to give his diagnosis and suggest an appropriate treatment.