Role of bronchoscopy in the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules

The past decade has witnessed the application of many advanced bronchoscopic modalities to improve access to the solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). Although many of the techniques are applied on a regular basis by bronchoscopists, which technique-or which combination of techniques-will offer the best performance and cost-effectiveness remains to be determined. The authors anticipate that bronchoscopic approaches to the SPN will continue to proliferate as technologic advances and clinical data accumulate. Research should focus on combinations of techniques, cost-effectiveness, and incorporation of these tools in diagnostic algorithms for lung nodules/masses.