Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): MedlinePlus Medical Test

What are bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?

Bronchoscopy is a treatment that enables a well being care provider to glimpse at your lungs. It works by using a thin, lighted tube referred to as a bronchoscope. The tube is place by way of the mouth or nose and moved down the throat and into the airways. It can help diagnose and address sure lung diseases.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a treatment that is at times done throughout a bronchoscopy. It is also referred to as bronchoalveolar washing. BAL is utilised to acquire a sample from the lungs for tests. All through the treatment, a saline answer is place by way of the bronchoscope to clean the airways and seize a fluid sample.

Other names: flexible bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar washing