PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - C. Dooms AU - L. Seijo AU - S. Gasparini AU - R. Trisolini AU - V. Ninane AU - K.G. Tournoy TI - Diagnostic bronchoscopy: state of the art AID - 10.1183/09059180.00005710 DP - 2010 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Review PG - 229--236 VI - 19 IP - 117 4099 - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/19/117/229.short 4100 - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/19/117/229.full SO - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW2010 Sep 01; 19 AB - Since the introduction of the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope in the late 1960s there have been relatively few technological advances for three decades, aside from the development of a white light video bronchoscope with a miniature charge-coupled device built in its tip replacing the fibreoptics. White light flexible videobronchoscopy with its ancillary devices (forceps biopsy, bronchial brushing, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washings and transbronchial needle aspiration) has long been the only established diagnostic bronchoscopic technique. With the advances in microtechnology over the past two decades, recent technical developments such as autofluorescence bronchoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound allow better evaluation of endobronchial, mediastinal and parenchymal lesions.