Mayo Clinic's approach

Teamwork

At Mayo Clinic, most of the doctors who perform bronchoscopy have extra training in a field of medicine called interventional pulmonology. Interventional pulmonologists work closely with lung surgeons, cancer specialists, pathologists and other specialists to develop an individualized treatment plan for you.

Experience

Interventional pulmonary specialists at Mayo Clinic focus on advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for pulmonary and thoracic disease, including all types of bronchoscopy. Over 4,450 bronchoscopies are performed annually at Mayo Clinic.

Many techniques used for modern bronchoscopy were pioneered or developed at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Howard A. Andersen and Dr. Robert S. Fontana first described the technique of lung biopsy by bronchoscopy.

Udaya B. Prakash, M.D., was the founding president of the American Association for Bronchology, now known as the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, as well as the first editor-in-chief of its journal.

The interventional pulmonology specialists at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota offer a training program for doctors seeking to specialize in the practice of interventional and advanced diagnostic pulmonology.

Advanced technology

There are many advanced technologies that may be performed during bronchoscopy at Mayo Clinic, including:

  • Argon plasma coagulation
  • Balloon dilation
  • Bronchoalveolar lavage
  • Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction
  • Electromagnetic navigational (EMN) bronchoscopy
  • Endobronchial cryotherapy and biopsy
  • Endobronchial laser treatment
  • Endobronchial ultrasound biopsy (EBUS)
  • Foreign body removal
  • Microknife treatment of strictures
  • Placement of endobronchial valves for persistent air leaks
  • Placement of stents in the airways
  • Radial endobronchial ultrasound biopsy (radial EBUS)
  • Rigid bronchoscopy
  • Transbronchial cryobiopsy for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease

Expertise and rankings

Mayo Clinic expertise in performing bronchoscopy is unparalleled. A specialty group of Mayo Clinic physicians are board certified in interventional pulmonology by the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for pulmonology by U.S. News and World Report.

Locations, travel and lodging

Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.

For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:

Costs and insurance

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.

More information about billing and insurance:

Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Health System

March 07, 2023
  1. AskMayoExpert. Bronchoscopy. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2017.
  2. Brown A. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 16, 2018.
  3. Bronchoscopy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/bronchoscopy. Accessed Feb. 4, 2019.
  4. Bronchoscopy. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pulmonary-disorders/diagnostic-and-therapeutic-pulmonary-procedures/bronchoscopy. Accessed. Feb. 4, 2019.
  5. Board certification. American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. https://aabronchology.org/board-certification/. Accessed Feb. 4, 2019.
  6. Manthous C, et al. Flexible bronchoscopy (airway endoscopy). American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2015;191:7.
  7. Welcome to the AABIP―Who we are. American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. http://aabronchology.org/about/. Accessed Jan. 25, 2016.
  8. Olson EJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 29, 2019.