Bronchoscopy: Risks
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Risks
Bronchoscopy is generally a safe procedure. Although complications are rare, your doctor will discuss any risks with you. Complications that may occur include:
- Spasms of the bronchial tubes, which can impair breathing.
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
- Infections, such as pneumonia. These can usually can be treated with antibiotics.
- Ongoing hoarseness.
If a biopsy was done during bronchoscopy, complications that may occur include:
- A tear in the lung from the biopsy forceps used to collect a tissue sample. This will allow air to flow into the pleural space, producing a partial collapse of the lung (pneumothorax).
- Bleeding caused by the biopsy forceps used to collect the tissue.
- An infection from the biopsy procedure.
- A very small chance of death.
After the procedure
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Cough up more than
of blood. - Have difficulty breathing.
- Have a fever for more than 24 hours. A mild fever [lower than
] may be present right after the procedure, but this is not a concern.
| Last updated: | June 06, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer |
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