Bronchoscopy

Patients that have respiratory tract disease that cannot be diagnosed with xrays, ultrasound, or other laboratory tests or that do not respond to symptomatic treatment are potential candidates for bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible scope is inserted into the airways. This scope contains a viewing device that allows the visual examination of the lower airways.

Bronchoscopy may be used for the following purposes:

• to identify structural or congenital abnormalities
• to diagnose cancer, lung infection, or other lung disease
• to remove a foreign body in the lungs, such as a mucus plug, tumor, or excessive secretions
• to remove tissue samples, also known as biopsy to test for cancer cells
• to allow examination of a suspected tumor, obstruction, secretion, bleeding, or foreign body in the airways
• to determine the cause of a persistent cough or wheeze (often additional testing is combined with bronchoscopy to aid diagnosis

Bronchoscopy requires not only specialized equipment, but a great amount of expertise to carry out the procedure and appropriate patient monitoring.  The team at Christensen Animal Hospital in Wilmette is well equipped to perform bronchoscopy on dogs and cats when indicated.

Rhinoscopy

Similiar to bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy utilizes a small, flexible, endoscope to evaluate the nasal passages, nasopharynx, oropharynx and larynx.

Rhinoscopy may be used for the following purposes:

• to identify structural or congenital abnormalities
• to diagnose nasal cancer, bacterial, fungal, viral or other infection
• to remove a foreign body 
• to remove tissue samples, also known as biopsy to test for cancer cells
• to allow examination of a suspected tumor, obstruction, secretion, bleeding, or foreign body in the upper airways
• to determine the cause of a persistent changes in inspiration or expiration patterns

As with bronchoscopy, Christensen Animal Hospital in Wilmette, IL is proud to be one of a few practices in the area with the ability to offer rhinoscopy to our patients suffering from upper airway disorders.  This minimally invasive procedure often finds answers where other more traditional diagnostics prove limited. For more information call us today at 847-251-2600.