Functional evaluation before and after interventional bronchoscopy

In this section, an overview of the clinical findings, laboratory investiga tions and physiology testing and complementary radiographic imaging studies pertinent to the bronchoscopist evaluating patients with presumed central airway obstruction is presented. Although many of these tests may seem supe rfluous, especially when patients present with life-threatening airway obst ruction, others are warranted in order to preserve and maintain the safety profile of bronchoscopic interventions. How these investigations impact int erventional strategies, technical success rates, and outcomes is also discu ssed. Issues requiring further research are also identified.