Interventional Pulmonology
With leading expertise and advanced technology, we provide minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of conditions of the lung and chest.
The UM Health-West Interventional Pulmonology (IP) program cares for a wide range of patients, include those with:
- Lung cancer and other cancer types that have spread to the chest
- Benign airway tumors
- Bleeding or inflammation in the lungs or airways
- Airway disorders (compressed airways, airway stenosis)
- Pleural disorders
- Lung transplant
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema
- Severe forms of asthma
- Tracheal and bronchial stenosis related to lung transplantation, inflammation or prior procedures
Interventional Pulmonology Procedures
Bronchoscopy: enables minimally invasive interventions using tiny cameras or surgical tools passed through a bronchoscope. The bronchoscope enables our team to look for and treat tumors, bleeding, inflammation or blockages in the lungs or airways; obtain fluid samples or tissue biopsies for testing; dilate areas; and implant stents – all without the patient having to undergo surgery, hospitalization and a long recovery.
Airway ablation: Removes obstructions and opens the airways for patients with blocked or scarred airways.
Balloon dilation: Expands narrowed airways via a balloon passed through a bronchoscope.
Bronchial thermoplasty (BT): Delivers controlled thermal energy via bronchoscope to the airways, reducing the amount of smooth muscle that narrows the airways in patients with severe asthma.
Bronchoscopic fiducial placement and lung tattooing: Advanced bronchoscopic techniques, including robotic bronchoscopy, are used to locate lesions and implant fiducial seeds and ink (tattoo) with the goal to minimize the amount of tissue resected by our thoracic surgeons.
Pleuroscopy: The pleural cavity (the space between the two layers of tissue that line the lungs) is examined and biopsies can be taken under direct visualization. If necessary, a long-term tunneled pleural catheter is placed to remove and drain the pleural fluid, easing pressure and allowing the patient to breathe better.
Robotic bronchoscopy: Suspicious lung nodules could be biopsied using a robotic bronchoscope. This advanced technological equipment allows the physician to sample lesions located in the periphery of the lung as outpatient, with both increased yield and safety. If malignancy is found, tissue sampling of lymph nodes is performed at the same time.
Stent placement: Silicone, metal or hybrid (silicone-covered metal) stents are placed via bronchoscopy in patients whose airways are blocked.
Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve: Features tiny valves placed in the airways of the lungs through a bronchoscope to treat COPD and emphysema patients. This allows healthy portions of the lungs to expand to enhance breathing.