Respiratory Institute Outcomes

In our Asthma Center, bronchoscopy is a valuable tool in the comprehensive management of asthma, providing insights into the diagnosis, underlying pathology, and potential therapeutic interventions for patients with difficult-to-treat or complex asthma presentations.¹

For diagnostic evaluation, bronchoscopy allows direct visualization of the airways to identify structural abnormalities, airway inflammation, or other potential causes of asthma symptoms.

Bronchoscopic biopsies can be taken from the airway walls to study cellular and structural changes, aiding in the differential diagnosis of asthma from other conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease. It also aids in identifying co-existing conditions such as inducible laryngeal obstruction (formerly known as vocal cord dysfunction) or tracheomalacia.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) helps identify Inflammatory markers. Therapeutic bronchoscopy can help physically remove mucus plugs, thereby improving airflow and reducing symptoms. Bronchoscopy also helps with personalized medicine by phenotyping, allowing for more personalized and targeted treatment approaches.

In 2023, our Asthma Center performed over 50 bronchoscopies to help diagnose and manage our severe and difficult to treat patients.

Click on the link to view Bronchology outcomes: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/respiratory/outcomes/748-bronchology