Overview

Flexible bronchoscopy allows doctors to see inside the airways and lungs and to collect samples that help diagnose lung cancer, infections, inflammatory lung diseases, etc. During a single bronchoscopy session, multiple sampling techniques may be safely combined to improve diagnostic accuracy.

At KIMSHEALTH, bronchoscopic procedures are performed using evidence-based protocols, advanced imaging guidance, and a patient-centred approach to ensure safety, comfort, and reliable results.

What Procedures Can Be Done During Bronchoscopy?

1. Endobronchial Biopsy (EBB)

What it is:

A biopsy taken directly from a visible lesion inside the airway (trachea or bronchi).

Why it’s done:

• Suspected lung cancer
• Visible airway tumours
• Endobronchial tuberculosis or sarcoidosis

What it provides:

• Histology (tissue diagnosis)
• Allows immunohistochemistry and molecular testing (EGFR, ALK, etc.)

2. Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

What it is:

Sterile saline is gently washed into a small lung segment and suctioned back for analysis.

Why it’s done:

• Lung infections (especially in immunocompromised patients)
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD) evaluation
• Sarcoidosis, alveolar haemorrhage, eosinophilic lung disease

What it provides:

• Cytology
• Microbiology (bacteria, TB, fungi, viruses)
• Differential cell counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils)

BAL does not provide tissue but gives critical diagnostic clues.

3. Transbronchial Lung Biopsy (TBLB)

What it is:

Small tissue samples taken from the lung parenchyma beyond visible airways.

Why it’s done:

• Sarcoidosis
• Interstitial lung diseases
• Peripheral lung infiltrates or nodules

Guidance options:

• Anatomy-guided (blind)
• Fluoroscopy-guided
• Radial ultrasound or navigation-guided
• Robotic bronchoscopy (selected cases)

What it provides:

• Lung tissue for histologic diagnosis

4. Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA)

What it is:

A needle passed through the airway wall to sample lymph nodes or masses adjacent to the bronchi.

Why it’s done:

• Mediastinal or hilar lymph node sampling
• Lung cancer staging
• Diagnosis of lymphoma, TB, sarcoidosis

Types:

• Conventional TBNA
• EBUS-guided TBNA (real-time ultrasound guidance)

What it provides:

• Cytology ± small tissue cores
• Enables cancer staging without surgery

How Doctors Choose the Right Procedure

The choice depends on:

• Location of the abnormality (airway, lung tissue, lymph node)
• Type of diagnosis needed (cells vs tissue)
• Suspected condition (infection, cancer, ILD)
• Imaging findings (CT, PET-CT)

Often, BAL + biopsy + needle aspiration are combined in one sitting to maximise accuracy.

What to Expect as a Patient

Before the Procedure

• You will be asked to fast for a few hours
• Medications (especially blood thinners) will be reviewed
• Informed consent is obtained

During the Procedure

• Performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia
• A thin, flexible scope is passed through the nose or mouth
• Typically lasts 30–60 minutes

After the Procedure

• Short recovery observation
• Mild sore throat or cough is common
• Most patients go home the same day

Safety and Risks

Flexible bronchoscopy is very safe when performed by experienced teams.

Possible Risks (Uncommon):

• Mild bleeding (more likely with biopsy)
• Temporary fever
• Pneumothorax (rare with TBLB)
• Infection (very rare)

At KIMSHEALTH, continuous monitoring and standardised protocols minimise these risks.

Why Choose KIMSHEALTH?

• Advanced bronchoscopy & EBUS expertise
• Multidisciplinary pulmonology–oncology team
• On-site pathology and molecular diagnostics
• International guideline–aligned care
• Strong focus on patient safety and comfort

Call to Action

If you have unexplained lung symptoms, abnormal chest imaging, suspected lung cancer, or persistent infections, early bronchoscopic evaluation can be life-saving.

👉 Book a Pulmonology consultation at KIMSHEALTH today 📞 Call:

Accurate diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment.