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Flexible Bronchoscopy
 Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is the exact cause of your child's lung disease or acute symptoms. In this situation, iit may be necessary to perform a bronchoscopy. This test is done in the operating room under sterile conditions. Your child will be given medicine through a vein to make him/her sleepy. Then a tube will be passed through his/her nose, down the throat and into the airway. This tube has a miniature video camera on the end which allows the doctor to check that the structure of the lungs is correct, and to look for infection in the lungs. The tube also has the ability to suction phlegm from the lungs to be sent to the laboratory to check for any bacteria or fungus growing in the lungs. F.A.Q.
WHAT TEST WILL OCCUR? FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY WHAT IS THIS TEST? A flexible camera shaped like a wet noodle or a small hose will be passed into your child’s airway through the nose or mouth to evaluate your child’s nose, throat, voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and bronchial tubes. The test can provide information about the shape of your child’s airways, the way they work, evidence of infection, or of choking on food and items that should not be in the lung. WILL THE TEST HURT? No. Your child will be given medication to reduce any discomfort and fear. IS THE TEST SAFE? Yes, however, there are some small risks whenever a patient uses sedation and whenever an object (like a flexible camera) enters the body. If your child has trouble breathing while the camera is inside, the camera will be removed and your child will receive respiratory support with oxygen. If needed, a breathing tube and a ventilator will be used to help your child breathe. IS THE SEDATION SAFE? There are some risks with sedation such as allergic reactions to sedation medicine or becoming too sleepy with medication. Your child will be monitored carefully for potential problems. HOW DO I KNOW THE TEST IS AUTHORIZED? In general, the doctor referring you for the test will already have arranged for authorization for your test by your insurance company. But it is your responsibility to have authorization before the test. Be sure to talk with the pulmonary office and confirm that the authorization is completed. WHERE DO I REGISTER? Register for the test at the hospital registration area 1 hour before the test is scheduled. WHERE WILL TEST OCCUR? For Children’s Hospital Oakland, go to the Surgical Admitting Area at the 3rd Floor of Main Hospital, 747 52nd Street, Oakland, CA. For California Pacific Medical Center, go to the Pediatric ICU at the 3rd floor of the Main Hospital at 2333 Buchanan Street (at corner of Clay and Buchanan Street). In some cases, the test is done at the Operating Room on the same floor. HOW LONG WILL THE TEST TAKE? The test itself is usually about 1 hour. We will spend a lot of time to make sure your child is as safe and as comfortable as possible. The camera is usually inside your child for less than half of the total test time. HOW SHOULD MY CHILD DRESS FOR THE TEST? Normal comfortable clothing. Your child will wear a hospital gown or just diapers (for babies) for the test. SHOULD MY CHILD TAKE ALL OF THEIR MEDICINE BEFORE TAKING THE TEST? Yes. CAN MY CHILD EAT BEFORE THE TEST? NO. Because your child may need medication to help your child sleep, your child should not eat. Please follow the following schedule:
WILL MY CHILD BE GETTING ANY MEDICATIONS FOR THE TEST? Yes. Sedation or anesthesia will be given by a second doctor who will monitor your child’s response throughout the test. Salt water may be used to rinse out any abnormal mucous. Lidocaine will be used to decrease your child’s desire to cough. Oxygen may be given during the test as needed. DO I NEED TO TAKE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AFTER THE TEST? Your child may be dizzy, sleepy, or nauseated because of the sedation. Your child may drink clear fluids after waking fully. Move to regular diet as tolerated. SHOULD I DO THE TEST IF MY CHILD IS SICK? NO. This test is usually used to measure how you are doing on a regular day. If you are sick, the test will need to be cancelled—unless your doctor says you should still do the test. Please call the lab as soon as you think you will not be able to do the test. We will need to reschedule the test. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE THE TEST? Notify the office (510-428-3305) AND the pulmonary function lab (CHO 510-428-3000 x5098; CPMC 415-428-3995) ASAP. If your child needs to have the test cancelled or rescheduled, we need to know ASAP so that we can allow another child to get tested. If you need to cancel the test the weekend or night before the scheduled test, please call the pulmonologist on-call at 510-428-3000 and notify the doctor that they must contact the PFT lab ASAP. HOW DO I FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF THE TEST? A copy of the results will be sent to your regular doctor and any specialist who referred you for the test. Some information can be given to you right away but some results from your test may take 6 weeks to process. WHAT DO THE TEST RESULTS MEAN? Your doctor needs to take into account the results of the tests and other information about your condition. You should discuss the results of the tests with your doctor. WILL MORE TESTS NEED TO BE DONE? This will be up to you and your doctor.
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