Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

A bronchoscopy is a procedure that's used to check for the cause of a lung problem. It can also be used to treat some lung diseases. The procedure uses a bronchoscope, which is a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera.

This allows your health care provider to view images of your airways. The tube is put through your mouth or nose, down your throat, and into your airways. The tube is usually flexible but can also be rigid: A flexible bronchoscope may be used to keep your airway open, suck up secretions (mucus made in your airways), or take a tissue sample (biopsy).; A rigid bronchoscope may be used to treat a tumor or bleeding or to remove something large stuck in your airway.

It may also be used to insert a stent, which is a tiny tube placed in your airway to help you breathe.; Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a procedure that is sometimes done during a bronchoscopy. It's done to collect a sample from your lungs. It is also called bronchoalveolar washing.

During the procedure, a saline solution is put through the bronchoscope to wash your airways and capture a fluid sample. The cells or bacteria in the fluid sample may be tested for infections or certain lung conditions.

Why this test is done

You may need one or both tests if you have symptoms of a lung disease, such as:

• A cough that doesn’t go away • Trouble breathing • Coughing up blood You may also have one or both tests if a chest x-ray or another imaging test shows a potential problem with your lungs.

If you have an immune system disorder, you may be more likely to get certain lung problems. For example, HIV or an organ transplant can put you at higher risk for some lung infections. If your provider thinks that you may have a lung infection or other lung problem, they can use bronchoscopy, often with a BAL, to make a diagnosis.

Getting an early diagnosis helps you get the correct treatment as soon as possible.

How to prepare

You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before your procedure. Your provider will let you know how long you need to avoid food and drink.

You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don’t stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.

Sample type

Blood Tissue/Biopsy

Other names for this test

flexible bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar washing