Bronchoscopy

One of the cool procedures in the armamentarium of pulmonologists is bronchoscopy, the insertion of a thin scope or camera into the airway of a patient to inspect the lungs, do diagnostic maneuvers, and occasionally, treat airway problems. We have been doing several bronchoscopies a week using an instrument similar to the one shown above. Most modern bronchoscopes, however, are connected to a fiberoptic camera allowing projection of the image onto a computer screen (rather than staring into the device like a telescope). It has been very cool and educational for me to see the vocal cords and review the lung anatomy. I've also seen a wide range of findings, from the normal lung to mucus impaction to narrowing of the airways to bleeding lesions.

The other day, I got to play with the bronchoscope. I manipulated the camera through a model lung, learning how difficult it was to coax the device where I wanted it to go. But it was a lot of fun, similar to a video game, as I tried to inspect every segment and subsegment of the fake lung model. Eventually, the goal is to place a paperclip or object in one of the subsegments and, using the bronchoscope, determining where it is.

Image of an old-time flexible bronchoscopy is in the public domain, from Wikipedia.