• • Persistent atelectasis.

  • Stridor.

  • Unexplained or persistent wheeze.

  • Suspected foreign body.

  • Pneumonia (recurrent, unknown etiology, or in an immunocompromised patient).

  • Persistent radiographic infiltrates.

  • Hemoptysis (to localize area of bleeding).

  • Suspected congenital abnormalities.

  • Suspected airway obstruction or compression, including nasal obstruction or associated with sleep disordered breathing.

  • Unexplained or persistent cough.

  • Excessive bronchial secretions.

  • Evaluation of artificial airway (tracheostomy or endotracheal tube).

  • Persistent hoarseness.

  • Suspected vocal cord dysfunction and paralysis.

  • Aspiration.

  • Epistaxis.

  • Suspected airway trauma.

Relative

• • Severe bleeding problems.

  • Severe airway stenosis.

  • Severe hypoxia.

  • Severe bronchospasm.

• • Rigid or flexible bronchoscope (Figures 56–1 and 56–2).

• • Many different size flexible bronchoscopes allow visualization in a wide range of children.

  • • The smallest is 2.2 mm in diameter.

    • It can be used in premature infants and in endotracheal tubes as small as 2.5 mm; however, it does not have a suction port.

    • The 2.8 mm is most commonly used; it has a suction port that allows specimens to be obtained.