title: Black bronchoscopy.
abstract: A presence of black pigmentation involving the endobronchial tree is not uncommon. It was first described in the literature in association with occupational exposure in the early 1940s. However, in 2003, Packham and Yeow formally used the term black bronchoscopy to describe endobronchial metastasis from a malignant melanoma. Hyperpigmentation of the airway, however, is associated with multiple etiologies such as congenital disease, inborn errors of metabolism, infections, environmental exposures, neoplasm, and iatrogenic causes. Although the majority of these conditions are benign, a proper diagnosis is important for optimal management. In this article, we review the etiology of black bronchoscopy and discuss its presentations and current management guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Pichapong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tunsupon
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Tanmay S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Panchabhai
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Danai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khemasuwan
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address: Mehtaa1@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Atul C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*