Bronchoscopy

Endoscopic Imaging of the Canine Airway

Bronchoscopy is an invaluable technique for the diagnosis of airway and lung disease in that it allows visual inspection of the trachea and major airways to assess for airway pathology, aids in the localisation and retrieval of airway foreign bodies, and allows accurate sampling from airways and lung areas of interest. In some disease situations bronchoscopy is a prerequisite for accurate definitive diagnosis. It is a routine procedure in the proper investigation of chronic respiratory problems, and is a standard technique in referral centres and beginning to be more commonly available in primary care practice.

The major difficulty most inexperienced operators will have using bronchoscopy is being able to recognise what is normal, and inexperienced operators often over-interpret bronchoscopic findings in order to fit the clinical presentation. However, it should be recognised that in many instances of both acute and chronic respiratory disease, no definite abnormality is identified. This is not necessarily a problem in that it allows the exclusion of certain diseases. The technique will not allow identification of conditions that are exclusively out with the airways, except if they impinge on the airways (mass lesions) or extend to communicate with the airways.

 

Bronchoscopy is an invaluable technique for the diagnosis of airway and lung disease in that it allows visual inspection of the trachea and major airways to assess for airway pathology, aids in the localisation and retrieval of airway foreign bodies, and allows accurate sampling from airways and lung areas of interest.

In some disease situations bronchoscopy is a prerequisite for accurate definitive diagnosis. It is a routine procedure in the comprehensive investigation of chronic respiratory problems, and is a standard technique in referral centres and beginning to be more commonly available in primary care practice.

Bronchoscopy is a versatile tool used in various scenarios in veterinary medicine. Some of the common indications for its use include:

Bronchoscopy provides a less invasive alternative to traditional open-airway surgery and offers quicker recovery times. It’s crucial for pet owners to be aware of these applications to understand how bronchoscopy can be a vital tool in managing their pet’s respiratory health. 

Address

Orchard House, Long Hyde Road, South Littleton, Worcestershire. WR11 8TH

Call Us

07977 017 310

Email Us

ellen@soundwaveimaging.co.uk