Interventional Pulmonology

Interventional pulmonology (IP)is an advanced subspecialty of pulmonary medicine that focuses on using minimally invasive procedures and therapeutic techniques to diagnose and treat conditions in the lungs and chest. IP procedures produce exceptional outcomes and offer patients the potential advantage of avoiding more invasive surgery.

Bronchoscopy

This common procedure allows doctors to look at a patient’s lungs and airways. The bronchoscope – a thin, lighted tube – is inserted into the airways through a patient’s mouth or nose. Images from the lungs are displayed on a video screen. Pictures may also be captured. Additionally, the bronchoscope has a channel at its tip, through which a doctor can pass small tools. Using these tools, the doctor can perform several other procedures.

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB)

ENB is a diagnostic pulmonary procedure. This advanced system guides the bronchoscope further than a traditional bronchoscopy. Using the patient’s CT scan, the physician is able to biopsy hard-to-reach abnormal areas of the lung that would normally require more invasive testing. ENB can help diagnose a variety of lung disorders, including inflammation, infections and cancer.

Endobronchial Ultrasound System (EBUS)

EBUS is a diagnostic pulmonary procedure using an EBUS scope. The scope has a video camera with an ultrasound probe attached to create images of your lungs and lymph nodes. It is inserted through the mouth and into the windpipe and lungs. EBUS can help diagnose a variety of lung disorders, including inflammation, infections and cancer, without invasive surgery.

Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve

Using a bronchoscope, wire mesh stents are placed and expanded in healthy portions of the lungs to open the airways and enhance breathing. Patients with COPD, emphysema or other pulmonary conditions that constricts or compresses an airway tube can benefit from this procedure.

Interventional Pulmonology