What is Bronchial lavage?

Bronchial lavage is a medical procedure used to obtain a sample of fluid and cells from the airways for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It involves gently flushing the airways with a sterile saline solution, collecting the resulting fluid, and examining it under a microscope or performing laboratory tests.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of how bronchial lavage is typically performed:

1. Preparation: The patient is positioned comfortably, usually seated or semi-reclined. Their nose and throat may be numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.

2. Bronchoscopy: A thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope is inserted through the patient's nostril or mouth and into the airways. The bronchoscope has a camera and a light at the end, allowing the healthcare provider to visualize the airways.

3. Lavage: While the bronchoscope is in place, sterile saline solution is gently instilled into the airways through the bronchoscope. This fluid helps to wash out cells and mucus from the airway walls.

4. Collection: The fluid and cells collected during lavage are then suctioned through the bronchoscope and collected in a specimen container. This fluid sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

5. Examination: The laboratory will analyze the fluid and cells collected during bronchial lavage. The sample can be used for various purposes, such as identifying microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses), detecting infections, assessing inflammatory responses, or examining cell types.

Bronchial lavage is commonly performed to diagnose conditions affecting the airways, including pneumonia, lung infections, chronic bronchitis, and interstitial lung diseases. It can also be used to obtain samples for research or therapeutic purposes, such as administering medications directly into the airways.

It's worth noting that bronchial lavage is a procedure typically performed by qualified healthcare professionals, such as pulmonologists or interventional radiologists, who have specialized training and experience in bronchoscopy and related procedures.