It has various Diagnostic and therapeutic roles in Pulmonary Medicine. During bronchoscopy a flexible endoscope (bronchoscope) is advanced through a person's mouth or nose into the windpipe for inspection of lung airways. Through bronchoscopy various sampling like Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL – where sterile water in instilled in affected part of lung and suctioned back for testing), Endobronchial lung biopsy (EBLB - where small piece of tissue from abnormal bronchial mucosa or growth in the airways is taken), Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB - biopsy from the periphery of lung is taken). It helps in diagnosis and management of pneumonia, tuberculosis, hemoptysis (blood in sputum), cancer, interstitial lung diseases etc. In case of foreign body impaction in airways, it can be removed safely through bronchoscopy.
Various other interventions like airway dilatation and stenting can be done in various benign or malignant conditions if required, air leak management in various conditions etc.
Medical Thoracoscopy
It is a minimally invasive procedure that allows access to the pleural space (space between chest wall and lungs) for its inspection and sampling (Pleural Biopsy). Whole pleural cavity is inspected during procedure aiding the diagnosis. It is utilized mostly in cases of undiagnosed pleural effusion for diagnosis or confirming the diagnosis. It is used for therapeutic interventions also like removal of minor adhesions aiding to lung expansions, removing fluid pockets/locules in pleural cavity etc.Pulmonary function Test:
PFTs are non- invasive tests. It is used for measuring lung volumes and capacities. It provides insight to lung health. It helps in diagnosing subtle abnormalities of lung before it become evident. It helps in diagnosis and prognosis of various breathing related conditions like Asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), ILD (Interstitial Lung Disease) etc.
In this test, one has to inhale fully and exhale forcibly with full capacities for getting result hence determines how well you’re able to breathe and how effectively your lungs send oxygen to the rest of your body.
