Tracheal/Bronchial Wash
A lower airway washing procedure is performed in patients with chronic coughing secondary to lower airway disease (disease of the conducting airways called bronchi or the areas of the lung where gas exchange takes place called alveoli). Samples are collected for culture (to rule out infection) and cytology (for a pathologist to help determine the cause of the coughing).
This procedure requires heavy sedation or anesthesia.