Interventional pulmonology , is a sub-specialty of pulmonary medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating lung diseases using minimally invasive techniques. Interventional pulmonologists use specialized tools and imaging techniques to perform procedures such as bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, and pleuroscopy to diagnose and treat various lung diseases.
Some common conditions that can be treated with interventional pulmonology techniques include lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and pleural effusions (fluid buildup around the lungs).
Interventional pulmonology is an important area of pulmonary medicine that can help diagnose and treat lung diseases using less invasive techniques, leading to faster recovery times and fewer complications.
Interventional pulmonology procedures include bronchoscopy (a procedure that allows visualization of the airways), endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), navigational bronchoscopy, airway stenting, bronchial thermoplasty, pleuroscopy, endobronchial valve placement, and various other diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for lung nodules, tumors, airway blockages, and pleural diseases.
Traditional pulmonology focuses on the diagnosis and medical management of lung diseases, while interventional pulmonology specializes in performing minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat lung conditions. Interventional pulmonologists undergo additional training to gain expertise in these advanced procedures.
The recovery process after an interventional pulmonology procedure varies depending on the specific procedure performed. In general, patients can expect some soreness, mild discomfort, or irritation at the procedure site. Recovery times vary, but most patients can resume normal activities within a few days to a week. The healthcare team will provide specific post-procedure instructions for optimal recovery.
