Since its advent in the late 1960s, flexible bronchoscopy has revolutionized
pulmonary practice. It allows the pulmonologist to examine the airways to the
subsegmental level while obtaining diagnostic samples using techniques such as
bronchoalveolar lavage, endobronchial biopsy, cytology brushing, transbronchial lung
biopsy, and transbronchial needle aspiration. Even recent advancements in
bronchoscopic technology have not rendered essential bronchoscopic techniques
irrelevant, and the well-trained pulmonologist must be well versed in all of these
techniques to provide optimal patient care.
Keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage, Bronchoscopy, Endobronchial biopsy,
Flexible bronchoscopy, Transbronchial lung biopsy, Transbronchial needle
aspiration.
