Bronchoscopy has traditionally been an integral part of pulmonary diagnostics and therapy. In pediatrics, bronchoscopy was originally mainly used for the extraction of aspirated foreign bodies or other interventions, less frequently for diagnostic procedures.
Since the introduction of pediatric flexible instruments, bronchoscopy has become more available and has been used much more often in pediatric pulmonary medicine. With the current general availability of the method, it is essential to make sure that bronchoscopes are used according to accepted standards.
This article reviews some of the potential pitfalls in performing and interpreting pediatric bronchoscopy