Radiation Oncologist Questions Cystic Fibrosis

Can a bronchoscopy help in diagnosing cystic fibrosis?

My son is 3 years old and is suffering from severe pneumonia. Inspite of all the treatment he is unable to breathe on his own and is on constant ventilator support. The doctors have suggested to do a bronchoscopy to understand if there is cystic fibrosis. Will it help?

5 Answers

I am sorry. I have no experience with cystic fibrosis, especially in children. It is better to discuss with a pediatric pulmonalogist. If you have concerns about the procedure, you can always get a second opinion with a different pulmonalogist.
Bronchoscopy and lung biopsy will help to establish right diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Yes, it would help to see if there is inspissated mucus in the airway.

Sidney P. Kadish MD
This is not really a question dealing with cancer or cancer treatment; this would be better posed to an expert in that field.
Bronchoscopy can tell if there is any obstruction of his trachea or bronchi.