title: Flexible bronchoscopy.
abstract: Although bronchoscopy technology continues to evolve at a fairly rapid pace, basic procedures, such as bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial lung biopsy, and transbronchial needle aspiration, continue to play a paramount role in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary diseases. Pulmonologists should be trained in these basic bronchoscopic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Pulmonology, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Roberto F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Casal
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ost
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Eapen
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D020680:Bronchoscopes / Q000266:history; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage; Flexible bronchoscopy; Transbronchial lung biopsy; Transbronchial needle aspiration