ABSTRACT
A wide range variety of bronchoscopes are available with different external diameters ranging from 2.2 to 6.3 mm (Fig. 1.5). The instrument channels and the quality of the video chip and images also vary accordingly (Fig. 1.6). A standard bronchoscope should be able to undertake the majority of tasks (good CCD, instrument channel of at least 2.2 mm and external diameter of about 4.6 mm). Slimmer bronchoscopes can allow for smaller airways to be inspected and sampled. An ultra-fi ne bronchoscope can examine much smaller airways but can also facilitate other procedures such as insertion of stents etc. under direct vision. A larger bronchoscope with a large instrument channel would be more appropriate for interventional procedures where a large channel for suction and introduction of instruments is required. Bronchoscopes with a built-in linear array ultrasound probe are also available which allow sampling of lymph nodes and lung masses adjacent to the central airways (Fig. 1.7).
