Role of Bronchoscopy
- Diagnosis:
In the past bronchoscopy was done routinely in all patients with lung abscess with the
intent of detecting foreign body or cancer. In most the bronchoscopy was non-contributory.
Lung abscess is due to aspiration of bacterial bolus and not due aspiration of large
foreign body. Cancer and foreign body aspiration account only for a small number of cases.
Nowadays bronchoscopy is reserved only when the lung abscess is located in atypical
segments or is refractory to therapy.
- Specimen Collection:
As discussed under specimen collection methods, bronchoscopy is one method by which we can
collect specimen for cultures and sensitivity studies.
- Drainage of Pus:
Bronchoscopy is also useful to drain lung abscess trans-bronchially in selected cases.