Bronchoscopy is an advanced minimally invasive procedure used to examine the airways and lungs, diagnose respiratory diseases, collect tissue or fluid samples, and, in selected cases, treat airway problems. Dr. Manish Aggarwal is an experienced Pulmonologist and Interventional Pulmonology Specialist in Delhi, providing advanced bronchoscopic diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of lung and airway conditions.

Dr. Manish Aggarwal is the Principal Director, Department of Chest Disease & Interventional Pulmonology at and has more than of experience in respiratory medicine. His practice includes flexible bronchoscopy, EBUS, rigid bronchoscopy, endobronchial biopsy, airway interventions, and other advanced procedures.

What is Bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows a pulmonologist to directly examine the trachea and bronchoscopy-in-delhi using a thin instrument called a bronchoscope.

A flexible bronchoscope is generally introduced through the nose or mouth and carefully guided into the airways. The procedure can help doctors identify abnormalities and, when necessary, collect samples of lung tissue, mucus, or fluid for laboratory testing.

Depending on the patient's condition, bronchoscopy may be used for both diagnosis and treatment.

Why is Bronchoscopy Performed?

Dr. Manish Aggarwal may recommend bronchoscopy when symptoms, imaging, or other investigations require a closer examination of the airways or lung tissue.

Common reasons include:

• Persistent or unexplained cough

• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)

• Recurrent or non-resolving chest infections

• Suspected tuberculosis or difficult-to-diagnose infections

• Lung nodules or abnormal findings on CT scans

• Suspected lung cancer

• Abnormal airway growths or lesions

• Unexplained lung collapse

• Airway narrowing or obstruction

• Foreign body aspiration

• Evaluation of certain interstitial lung diseases

• Collection of samples for microbiological or pathological testing

Bronchoscopy can also be used to evaluate and manage selected airway obstructions and other complex respiratory conditions.

Advanced Bronchoscopy Procedures in Delhi

Depending on the clinical requirement, Dr. Manish Aggarwal provides or performs advanced bronchoscopic procedures, including:

Flexible Bronchoscopy

Flexible bronchoscopy allows detailed examination of the bronchial passages and collection of samples with minimal invasiveness. It is commonly used for investigating infections, abnormal imaging findings, bleeding, and other airway or lung problems.

EBUS Bronchoscopy

Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) combines bronchoscopy with ultrasound imaging to assess lymph nodes and structures around the airways.

EBUS-guided sampling can be particularly useful for:

• Lung cancer diagnosis and staging

• Enlarged mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes

• Sarcoidosis

• Selected infections

• Obtaining tissue samples from areas that are difficult to access through conventional bronchoscopy

Dr. Manish Aggarwal's practice lists extensive experience with EBUS procedures.

Rigid Bronchoscopy

Rigid bronchoscopy is an advanced procedure performed under anesthesia and may be considered for complex airway conditions, significant airway obstruction, foreign body removal, bleeding control, or therapeutic interventions.

Endobronchial Biopsy

During bronchoscopy, small tissue samples can be obtained from suspicious airway lesions. These samples may be examined to help diagnose cancer, infection, inflammation, or other lung conditions.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

Bronchoalveolar lavage involves introducing a small amount of sterile fluid into a selected area of the lung and collecting it for laboratory analysis.

BAL can help investigate difficult or persistent infections and selected inflammatory or interstitial lung diseases.

Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Bronchoscopy can play an important role in the diagnosis and staging of suspected lung cancer.

Depending on the location of the abnormality, the pulmonologist may obtain tissue samples directly from an airway lesion or use advanced techniques such as EBUS to sample nearby lymph nodes.

The samples can then undergo pathological and other specialized testing to help establish the diagnosis and guide further treatment.

Bronchoscopy for Tuberculosis and Lung Infections

Bronchoscopy may be useful when routine sputum testing does not provide a clear diagnosis or when a deeper respiratory sample is required.

Bronchoscopic samples can be sent for appropriate microbiological investigations to evaluate tuberculosis and other respiratory infections. Dr. Manish Aggarwal's practice specifically lists advanced bronchoscopy for difficult TB and respiratory infection cases.

Bronchoscopy for Coughing Up Blood

Coughing up blood, or hemoptysis, bronchoscopy-in-delhi can have several causes, ranging from infections and airway inflammation to tumors and other lung disorders.

Bronchoscopy can help identify the source of bleeding and, in selected cases, assist with bronchoscopic management of airway bleeding.

Bronchoscopy for Airway Obstruction

Advanced bronchoscopy can also be used to diagnose and treat certain airway obstructions.

Depending on the cause, interventional procedures may include:

• Airway dilatation

• Tumour debulking

• Airway stent placement

• Removal of foreign bodies

• Therapeutic bronchoscopy

• Management of tracheal or bronchial stenosis

These procedures can help restore airway patency and improve airflow in appropriately selected patients.

Is Bronchoscopy Painful?

Bronchoscopy is generally performed with appropriate local anesthesia and sedation to minimize discomfort. Patients may experience some throat irritation, cough, or mild hoarseness following the procedure.

The exact type of anesthesia or sedation depends on the type of bronchoscopy, the patient's medical condition, and the procedure being performed.

How Long Does Bronchoscopy Take?

The duration varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. A diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy may be relatively brief, while procedures involving biopsy, EBUS, rigid bronchoscopy, airway treatment, or multiple samples may take longer.

Your doctor will explain the expected duration and preparation requirements before the procedure.

Recovery After Bronchoscopy

Patients are generally monitored for a period after bronchoscopy. Depending on the type of procedure and sedation used, patients may be able to return home the same day.

Temporary symptoms such as mild throat discomfort or cough can occur.

Patients should follow their doctor's specific instructions regarding eating, drinking, medications, and activities after the procedure.