Bronchoscopy with bronchial washings

During a bronchoscopy, the bronchoscope is generally inserted into the nose and guided down the throat and into the bronchi. A tissue sample may be collected to help confirm the diagnosis. In the case of a bronchial washing, a saline solution is sprayed over the surface of the airways.

Any cells that have been washed off the surface are then collected and viewed under a microscope for further testing. Bronchial washing may help your doctor to check for a number of factors, including blood, mucus, and infection. In most cases, the procedure generally lasts around 30 minutes, and you will be sedated throughout the process