Bronchoscopic procedures

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21th century, flexible bronchoscopy is widely recognized as an excellent tool for the diagnosis and treatment of the respiratory diseases. The current diagnostic procedures of the technique include transbronchial needle aspiration, endobronchial ultrasound and the early diagnosis of carcinoma in situ using autofluorescence bronchoscopy. The therapeutical interventions include LASER therapy, endobronchial electrosurgery and cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, stent placement, brachytherapy and baloon dilatation. Future applications of genetic studies through the fiberoptic bronchoscope will further extent the potential use of this technique.