Bronchoscopy and infection.
Bronchoscopy can be useful to diagnose respiratory infections in the immunocompromised and those with problematic cystic fibrosis or with focally abnormal chest X-rays. Its role in paediatric tuberculosis is controversial with scanty objective evidence. As it is an invasive procedure, the following should be asked: what question am I trying to answer by bronchoscopy? Will the answer justify the risks of the procedure?
Rosenthal
Mark
M
Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, SW3 6NP, London, UK. mrosenthal@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed