Re: how are bronchial samples obtained and analysed?

A lighted tubular optical instrument is passed into the air passages under general or local anesthesia and cell specimens obtained by lavage(saline washing) and retrieval or by brush biopsy(a tiny brush can be passed and manipulated via the instrument(called a bronchoscope). The brush is then washed with saline and the now cell containing solution is spun in a centrifuge to separate out the cells for staining and subsequent examination under the microscope. Such washings can also be cultured seeking the presence of pathogenic bacteria. For references see www.medline plus under bronchosopy and bronchial lavage. R.K. McGregor M.D.