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CBCT Bronchoscopy
What is it?
A Cone Beam CT-guided bronchoscopic biopsy (CBCT) is a modern and precise way for doctors to take a sample of tissue (biopsy) from a small or hard-to-reach spot in your lung. It combines a standard lung examination called a bronchoscopy with a special real-time CT scan and X-ray (fluoroscopy) to help guide our tools to exactly where they need to go. This approach allows your doctor to safely reach areas that were once too difficult to access using older methods.
Why is it done?
Doctors use this procedure to find out what’s causing problems in the lungs, like cancer, infections, or inflammation. It is used when something abnormal has been found in your lungs, such as a lung nodule, that doctors need to find out more about. It’s especially useful when the abnormal area is in a spot that’s hard to reach. Combining CT and X-ray imaging helps ensure that the biopsy tools are right where they need to be, improving the chance of getting a clear diagnosis. It’s a great alternative to more invasive procedures, like lung surgery or needle biopsies through the chest wall to get a biopsy.
How is it done?
This procedure is done while you’re asleep under general anaesthesia. A thin camera tube (called a bronchoscope) is gently passed through your mouth and into your windpipe. Using advanced imaging, your doctor can see a live picture of your lungs and guide the biopsy tools directly to the right spot. It’s safe, effective, and avoids the need for more invasive procedures to get a biopsy.
What happens during the procedure?
While you’re under anaesthesia and connected to a breathing machine, a low-dose CT scan is taken. A special computer program maps out the area of concern in your lung, and this map is shown live on a screen. The doctor then guides the camera to the exact location and uses small tools to take tissue samples. These samples are sent to the laboratory to find out what’s going on. It may take up to a week for a result.
How do I get ready for it?
- You’ll need to stop eating for at least 6 hours before the procedure.
- Some medications, especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines, may need to be paused before the procedure; your medical team will give you detailed instructions.
- It’s usually a day procedure, done at either Macquarie University Hospital or Concord Repatriation Hospital.
- You won’t be able to drive or operate machines for 24 hours after the anaesthesia, so make sure someone can take you home.
What are the alternatives?
There are other ways to get this information, such as using a needle from outside your body to take a small sample or doing a surgery to remove tissue. These options are available, but your doctor has looked at your situation and feels that the CBCT approach is the safest and most accurate choice for you.
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