Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy does not alter airway responsiveness

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) can induce respiratory mucosal damage. Epithelial damage has been proposed to be of importance in the induction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We have examined the influence of FFB on airway responsiveness. Histamine chloride challenge tests were performed in 21 healthy non-smoking volunteers before and after FFB. Since bronchoscopy was performed after pretreatment with atropine and under topical anesthesia with lignocaine, histamine chloride tests were also performed in 6 asthmatics before and after atropine, and in 6 asthmatics before and after local anesthesia with lignocaine. Airway responsiveness was not altered by FFB. Atropine and lignocaine did not have any major influence on airway responsiveness. We suggest that epithelial damage in the central airways induced by FFB is not sufficient to induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness.