Interventional Pulmonology

Flexible bronchoscopy allows visualization of individual lobes or segment bronchi. Westchester Medical Center has a variety of bronchoscopes, including ultrathin models for peripheral navigation. Sampling techniques include bronchoalveolar lavage, brushings and biopsies.
Narrow Band imaging: uses different light wave for early detection of premalignant lesions not usually seen with traditional white light bronchoscopy.
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) makes it possible to biopsy lymph nodes in the mediastinum via bronchoscope. It provides an outstanding view of the sample area and precise navigation around critical structures. Westchester Medical Center offers both linear and the more-advanced radial EBUS, which can reach areas of the lung that otherwise, would be inaccessible without surgery.
Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy uses a system similar to GPS that enables physicians to “drive” to the precise location of otherwise inaccessible lung lesions for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Rigid bronchoscopy better controls the airway and larger lumen during complex endobronchial interventions. This technique can also be used for mechanical debulking of tumors.
Pleuroscopy involves inserting a small endoscope into the chest cavity for minimally invasive diagnosis and management of pleural disease.

Airway ablation can provide relief for patients who have airways obstructed by tumors, scarring from long-term intubation, or other causes. At Westchester Medical Center, this may be achieved with Excision, LASER, Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) or Cryotherapy to restore normal breathing and prevent lung collapse in patients who are frail, present with multiple comorbidities, or are at the end of life.
Endobronchial brachytherapy is an innovative form of radiation therapy that uses high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy to destroy tumors in the lungs via the bronchial tubes.
Balloon bronchoplasty can dilate narrowed airways via a balloon passed through a bronchoscope.
Airway stents of silicone, metal, or metal covered with silicone (hybrid stents) can maintain the patency of an obstructed airway.
Endobronchial valve placement can correct persistent air leak in patients with pneumothorax.
Photodynamic therapy: To treat early stage lung cancers.
Bronchial thermoplasty: is a treatment for severe asthma patients, involving the delivery of radiofrequency energy to the airway wall, therefore heating the tissue and reducing the amount of smooth muscle.
Indwelling pleural catheter is used to relieve and prevent the recurrence of pleural effusion. Patients can avoid frequent hospital visits by draining the fluid themselves.
Pleurodesis can prevent recurrence of pleural effusions.