Role of Bronchoscopy

• Diagnosis:
  In the past bronchoscopy was done routinely in all patients with lung abscess with the intent of detecting foreign body or cancer. In most the bronchoscopy was non-contributory. Lung abscess is due to aspiration of bacterial bolus and not due aspiration of large foreign body. Cancer and foreign body aspiration account only for a small number of cases. Nowadays bronchoscopy is reserved only when the lung abscess is located in atypical segments or is refractory to therapy.
• Specimen Collection:
  As discussed under specimen collection methods, bronchoscopy is one method by which we can collect specimen for cultures and sensitivity studies.
• Drainage of Pus:
  Bronchoscopy is also useful to drain lung abscess trans-bronchially in selected cases.