Endoscopic exploration of the airways in children

Airway endoscopic exploration in children has benefited from miniaturizatio n of flexible bronchoscopes, allowing examination in young and even prematu re infants. Whether endoscopy, is performed under conscious sedation and to pical anesthesia or under deep sedation, the painlessness of the procedure are very important for the child's comfort. Bronchoscopy, may, provide, dir ect anatomical information or indirect information from secretions sampling , bronchoalveolar lavage, or bronchial and trans- bronchial biopsies. Indic ations are vide, mainly. detection of airway obstruction via tin intrinsic or extrinsic mechanism, identification of an infectious agent in immunocomp romised patients, exploration of chronic interstitial pneumonitis, and inte rventional endoscopy.