Bronchoalveolar lavage

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used in pulmonary medicine to collect fluid samples from the lungs’ bronchoalveolar spaces, which are the small airways and alveoli within the lungs. This procedure is generally performed to diagnose and evaluate lung diseases such as infections, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis or some cancers.

In BAL, a bronchoscope, which is a thin and flexible tube with a camera and light, is inserted through the mouth or nose into the lungs. Once the bronchoscope is in place, sterile saline solution is introduced gently into a specific area of the lungs. The fluid is then suctioned back out and collected for analysis purposes. The retrieved fluid contains cells, microorganisms and other substances from the lung’s airways and alveoli; thus providing important information for diagnosis.

Recent advances that have been made in BAL include endoscopic techniques and high resolution imaging that guide the procedure with more accuracy leading to better targeted samples from patients. Generally, BAL procedure does not cause much discomfort to patients except for minor irritations; hence it can be done as an outpatient service most times.

You should have an open conversation regarding the procedure with your doctor in case lung biopsy is something you are thinking about. Once you understand how it is done, its potential benefits, and what the findings may imply, it becomes easier for you to be at ease as far as your lung health analysis is concerned.