What is a bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine your child’s throat, larynx, trachea, and lower airways through a tool called a bronchoscope. Bronchoscopy may be done to diagnose problems with your child’s airway, lungs, or lymph nodes.
Will my child need anesthesia?
Uncomplicated procedures are performed using local sedation in our Gastroenterology Procedure Unit.
More technically challenging procedures are performed in the hospital operating room suite, where rooms are fully staffed by an anesthesiologist and O.R. nurses. Your child will likely receive general anesthesia.
How Boston Children’s Hospital approaches bronchoscopy
A certified staff bronchoscopist and a pulmonary fellow perform bronchoscopies. Boston Children's provides full anesthesia, nursing, and technical support.
- At Boston Children’s, a bronchoscopy is used to diagnose problems with your child’s airway, lungs, or lymph nodes, including cystic fibrosis.
- It's also used to take fluid and tissue samples from the lung.
Other procedures include whole lung lavage, airway dilation, airway stent placement, and removal and/or biopsy of airway lesions.
Bronchoscopy | Programs & Services
Programs
Aerodigestive Center
Program
The Aerodigestive Center sees children who have trouble swallowing or breathing or who have related gastrointestinal issues in addition to respiratory symptoms.
Center for Airway Disorders
Program
The Center for Airway Disorders cares for infants, children, and young adults with airway problems.
Departments
Pulmonary Medicine
Department
The Division of Pulmonary Medicine serves children with acute and chronic respiratory conditions.
Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement
Department
The Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement provides care for a wide variety of congenital and acquired conditions of the head and neck, ranging from airway obstruction and thyroglossal duct cysts to chronic ear and sinus infections.
Learn more about Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement
Surgery
Department
The Department of Pediatric Surgery provides general and specialized surgical services to those suffering from a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions.
