DIAGNOSTIC METHODS & THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES
Expert & compassionate care for your lung health
RESPIRATORY & PULMONARY CARE
Diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer have improved in thanks to the advancing technology and the acquisition of the necessary skills by bronchoscopists to fully use these advanced techniques. The diagnostic methods yield for lung cancer has significantly increased with the advent of technologies such as endobronchial ultrasound, navigational systems, and improved imaging modalities. Similarly, the therapeutic benefit of bronchoscopy in advanced lung cancer has begun to be understood for its impact on quality and quantity of life.
When your respiratory system is healthy, you barely give it a thought – but if you’re not breathing normally, it’s hard to function well during the day or get restful sleep at night. Whatever the nature of your pulmonary issues, we take the time to ensure you and your family are well informed and fully educated on managing your pulmonary health.
ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC METHODS
Lung Health Services is an interventional pulmonology practice that uses minimally invasive technologies to diagnose and treat patients with lung cancer and other thoracic conditions. The majority of these procedures are able to be completed in an an ambulatory setting.
Our expert team of lung specialists work collaboratively with your primary care team, as well as your oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and other medical practitioners to provide you with the fully integrated, comprehensive care you deserve.
EBUS
An EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive advanced procedure that is highly effective in diagnosing lung cancer, lung infections and other lung conditions causing enlarged lymph nodes in the chest area. The EBUS procedure allows the interventional pulmonologist to obtain tissue and fluid samples without performing a more invasive surgery.
How EBUS Works
This procedure is performed under moderate sedation or general anesthesia and you can go home the same day. Dr. Nina Maouelainin, your interventional pulmonologist will guide the small, thin tube through your mouth and into your airway. The EBUS bronchoscopy is equipped with a video camera and an ultrasound probe to capture images of the airways, blood vessels, lungs and lymph nodes in real-time. Having the capability to sample tissue easily and quickly with the EBUS bronchoscopy enables an onsite pathologist to evaluate biopsy samples in the operating room ultimately leading to an expedited diagnosis.
Navigational Bronchoscopy
A navigational bronchoscopy procedure aims to treat lesions in areas of the lung that are generally unreachable using a standard bronchoscope. It specifically targets the smaller airway parts known to be hard-to-reach areas to biopsy and guide radiation markers for future treatment. The navigational bronchoscopy uses the 3D images from a CT Scan to create a map of the airways. The advanced navigational bronchoscopy is effective in providing an early diagnosis of lung cancer as well as preventing the need for an open surgery, which has a greater recovery time.
How Navigational Bronchoscopy Works
Most of the time a navigational bronchoscopy is performed under moderate sedation or general anesthesia so you will be comfortable during the procedure. The bronchoscope tube will be inserted through your mouth and into the lungs. Special tools will be passed through the bronchoscope that will help your doctor navigate the airways in your lungs. Samples of tissue can be taken through needle aspirations and markers can be placed for future treatment. Once the procedure is complete, you will be able to go home the same day.
General Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy allows us to look your airways and lungs. We use a long, flexible instrument attached to a camera, called a bronchoscope, to capture images the provider looks at on a monitor. The bronchoscope is inserted through your mouth or nose. The provider will visually look at your airways and collect samples, or biopsies, if needed.
WHAT TO EXPECT
An intravenous line (IV) will be placed in your arm to deliver anesthesia and any medication needed during the procedure. Monitors will be
placed on you to continually check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level during the procedure. Oxygen will be delivered throughout the bronchoscopy. This test can be performed for various reasons such as recurrent infections, abnormal findings seen on a CT scan such as lung nodules, to evaluate airway blockage, or to evaluate hemoptysis. A chest x-ray or CT scan of the chest are frequently done prior to a bronchoscopy and help determine when a biopsy of lung tissue or inspection of the airways is needed for a diagnosis.
THERAPEUTIC TECHNIQUES
Therapeutic flexible or rigid bronchoscopies are state-of-the-art techniques that allow to:
- Control bleeding in the airway
- Suction excess fluid or mucus from the airway
- Therapeutically remove foreign bodies from the airway, such as tumors, aspirated food.
- Resecting and treating growths or tumors in the airway using radiation laser, cryotherapy
- Place airway stents
‘Balloon Dilation’ via Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a sophisticated, pulmonary technology that uses a flexible tube with a camera at the end allowing the visualization of the inside of the lungs and airways. When stenosis occurs, we will use the bronschope to insert a deflated, medical balloon into the affected airway. Once inside, we will carefully inflate the balloon, stretching open the airway. Dr. Nina Maouelainin can then further inspect and treat the area, removing cancerous tumors or repairing damaged tissue.
Airway Stenting
An airway stent is a tiny, hollow tube made of silicone or metal that is inserted into the airways. Airway stents can be inserted either before or after therapeutic treatment in the lungs. Before performing therapeutic treatment, Dr. Nina Maouelainin may insert an airway stent in order to properly see and treat the lungs, removing foreign bodies in the airways or repairing damaged tissue. Following a lung procedure, Lung Health Services may insert an airway stent to ensure that the patient has sufficient airflow to prevent further airway obstruction.
Tumor Resection & Destruction
Tumor resection is the process of surgically removing cancerous tumors and tissues in the lungs. On the other hand, tumor destruction is the process of destroying cancerous tumors and tissues within the lungs without extraction. At Lung Health Services, we offer a variety of both tumor destruction and resection treatment options to ensure cancerous tumors are eliminated as effectively and safely as possible, with little chance of tumor resurgence or regrowth.