Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy

Pulmonary nodules, consolidations, and opacities in the pediatric population often require sampling to assess for infection, malignancy, or to support the diagnosis of inflammatory etiologies. Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy allows for the bronchoscope to reach further into the periphery of the lungs for biopsy. In this chapter, we will describe the methods, yield, and limitations of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy. Though currently not widely used in the pediatric population, increasing its use will expand the interventional pulmonologist’s inventory of diagnostic procedures to more patients and conditions.