Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): MedlinePlus Medical Test

What are bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?

Bronchoscopy is a technique that allows a wellbeing care service provider to glance at your lungs. It makes use of a slender, lighted tube called a bronchoscope. The tube is put via the mouth or nose and moved down the throat and into the airways. It assists diagnose and handle specified lung diseases.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a technique that is in some cases carried out through a bronchoscopy. It is also called bronchoalveolar washing. BAL is utilised to collect a sample from the lungs for testing. For the duration of the technique, a saline remedy is put via the bronchoscope to wash the airways and capture a fluid sample.

Other names: versatile bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar washing