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This manual on diagnostic bronchoscopy is well organized. The text evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of rigid bronchoscopy vs fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The author, a pulmonary medicine specialist, prefers to use the fiberoptic bronchoscope through a rigid bronchoscope under local anesthesia. Patient oxygenation is accomplished with a Venturi ventilation system.
The early chapters review the indications for bronchoscopy, the advantages and disadvantages of the various bronchoscopes, and the techniques utilized for performing bronchoscopic procedures. The author is very liberal in his indications for bronchoscopy. He does indicate that risks of bronchoscopy are low; however, it should be remembered that such risks are not absent. Since the text was written in London, certain of the medications recommended for premedication and use during the procedure are not utilized in the United States.
Subsequent chapters review the normal anatomy of the tracheobronchial tree and discuss pathologic conditions encountered. Specimen-acquisition techniques are also described. Multiple