Since its introduction into clinical practice, flexible bronchoscopy (FB) has greatly enhanced our understanding of pulmonary disease, revolutionized the practice of pulmonary medicine, and evolved into the most commonly used invasive diagnostic procedure in pulmonary medicine.<sup>69 Prakash U.B.S., Mehta A.C. Newer and miscellaneous applications of bronchoscopy Bronchoscopy New York: Raven Press, Ltd (1994).  433-441

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 70 Prakash U.B.S., Offord K.P., Stubbs S.E. Bronchoscopy in North America: The ACCP survey Chest 1991 ;  100 : 1668-1675  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> With a proven safety record, bronchoscopy is now widely performed by physicians practicing pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, thoracic surgery, otolaryngology, anesthesiology, and pediatrics.<sup>2 Ahmad M., Livingston D.R., Golish J.A. , e al. The safety of outpatient transbronchial biopsy Chest 1986 ;  90 : 403-405  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 32 Dweik R.A., Mehta A.C., Meeker D.P. , e al. Analysis of the safety of bronchoscopy in patients with recent acute myocardial infarction Chest 1996 ;  110 : 825-828  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 61 Meeker D.P., Dweik R.A. Laryngoscopy for the bronchoscopist Journal of Bronchology 1996 ;  3 : 136-145  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 62 Mehta A.C., Dweik R.A. Nasal versus oral insertion of the flexible bronchoscope: Pro-nasal insertion Journal of Bronchology 1996 ;  3 : 224-228  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 69 Prakash U.B.S., Mehta A.C. Newer and miscellaneous applications of bronchoscopy Bronchoscopy New York: Raven Press, Ltd (1994).  433-441

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 70 Prakash U.B.S., Offord K.P., Stubbs S.E. Bronchoscopy in North America: The ACCP survey Chest 1991 ;  100 : 1668-1675  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Predicting the future of such a versatile instrument that is used for clinical and research applications is a difficult task. Many developments are still in progress and as the quality of instrumentation continues to improve, newer applications continue to evolve. On the other hand, newer technologies, such as virtual bronchoscopy, will likely compete with bronchoscopy by providing better or less invasive approaches to certain clinical problems. In this article, we review some of the recent advances in bronchoscopy and their potential for future application in clinical practice. We also attempt to touch on developments in other disciplines that may impact bronchoscopy by either enhancing its potential or limiting its use.