Bronchoscopic techniques in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer

Technologic advances in bronchoscopy continue to improve our ability to perform minimally invasive, accurate evaluations of the tracheobronchial tree and to perform an ever-increasing array of diagnostic, therapeutic, and palliative interventions. The role of both old'' and new'' diagnostic bronchoscopy will continue to evolve as further improvements are made in bronchoscopes, accessory equipment, and imaging technologies. The major challenge in the adoption of the many new bronchoscopic techniques into routine clinical practice is the need for well-designed studies to delineate the appropriate use of these interventions and to better define their limitations.