Interventional Pulmonology

Complex Airway Procedures

Numerous bronchoscopic technologies are used to treat benign and malignant airway obstruction in a minimally invasive manner. These procedures can be performed with flexible or rigid bronchoscopy. There are very few providers across the country that have been formally trained and certified to perform these highly specialized rigid bronchoscopies. Many cases, including complex rigid bronchscopy procedures, can be done on an outpatient basis.

• Rigid bronchoscopy
• Airway stent placement (metallic, silicone and hybrid)
• Spray cryotherapy
• Nd: YAG laser therapy
• Argon plasma coagulation and electrocautery
• Brachytherapy
• Microdebrider
• Montogomery T-Tube placement
• Balloon bronchoplasty
• Stent removal
• Foreign body removal

Pleural Procedures

Pleuroscopy or medical thoracoscopy performed under conscious sedation is an excellent alternative to surgical thoracosopy for pleural biopsy in unexplained pleural effusions or for treatment of recurrent malignant effusions. The PleurX® catheter program is a proven system of long-term indwelling pleural catheters for outpatient management of recurrent effusions. Patients are followed closely and can sometimes undergo additional chemical pleurodesis through the catheter.

• Medical thoracoscopy
• Pleurodesis
• PleurX indwelling catheter placement
• Tube thoracostomy

Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

We offer several bronchoscopic options for diagnosing patients with lung nodules or mediastinal tumors and benign conditions causing lymphadenopathy. These procedures are highly effective in diagnosing tumors at early stages and are performed in a least invasive fashion.

• Endobronchial ultrasound biopsy of lung and lymph nodes
• Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy

Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment

Columbus Regional Hospital's Lung Institute is the first in Indiana to offer a new lung valve treatment for patients with severe COPD/emphysema. Approved by the FDA under their "Breakthrough Devices" status, the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment represents a major advancement because it is the first minimally invasive procedure to help emphysema sufferers breathe easier without major surgery.

Bronchial Thermoplasty

For patients with severe asthma not controlled on medical treatment, we offer Bronchial Thermoplasty. Bronchial Thermoplasty (BT) is a procedure to reduce the smooth muscle mass of the airway. With less smooth muscle, the airways constrict less, reducing severe asthma attacks.

Other Procedures

• Percutaneous tracheostomy
• Whole lung lavage for alveolar proteinosis
• Placement of fiducial markers in chest tumors
• Endobronchial valve placement for alveolar pleural fistula