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MCG Health System
   
 Administrative Office
Section of Pulmonary
1120 15th Street
BBR5513
Augusta, GA 30912-3130
Phone: (706) 721-2566
Fax:     (706) 721-3069

Patient Calls
Return Patients:
(706) 721-4495
New Patients:
(706) 721-1450

Thomas Dillard, MD

Interventional Bronchoscopy

The techniques listed below are interventional bronchoscopy procedures currently available at MCG for treatment of patients with appropriate conditions.  All of these techniques require prior diagnostic bronchoscopy and CT scanning of the lungs and airways to determine the best approach.  Some procedures require general anesthesia.  

These procedures are performed under the direction of Dr. Thomas A. Dillard, Professor of Medicine, and his assistants.  Consultation with Dr. Dillard is required before any treatment can be considered.  Self-referrals are not accepted. 

*Tumor ablation with argon plasma coagulation.

Argon plasma coagulation consists of electrical energy transferred through an argon gas cloud to destroy tumors inside the tracheobronchial tree.  Multiple treatments may be required.  Benign and malignant tumors can be treated.  Argon plasma is delivered with a probe through the bronchoscope. 

Before APC

After APC

Two months later

 *Tumor ablation with electrocautery.   

Electrocautery consists of electrical energy to destroy abnormal tissue.  Electrocautery can cut or coagulate tissue and is delivered by a wire loop, forceps or papillatome. 
 

 *Balloon dilatation of airway obstruction.  

This technique uses a water-filled (hydrostatic) balloon dilator to open the airways.  This treatment may be helpful for scar tissue stenosis of the airways or tumor or other mass compressing the airway from the outside.

 *Airway stents, self expanding.

X-Ray

Before Stent

After Stent

Self-expanding nitinol stents are used to expand the trachea or bronchi which have become narrowed by tumors and selected other disease processes.  Treatment to dilate the airway may be needed before stent insertion. 

 *Radial release of airway stenosis.

This technique consists of electrocautery to destroy scar tissue which may develop after tracheostomy and other causes.  Balloon dilatation to increase the airway diameter may then be needed.

 *Transbronchial needle biopsy of mediastinal nodes.

This technique consists of tissue biopsy with a needle to sample lymph nodes or tumor masses located outside but next to the airways.  This technique can be used to help stage lung cancer.

 *Endobronchial ultrasound. 

Ultrasound can be used to localize lymph nodes or tumor masses for needle biopsy from within the airway using transbronchial needle aspiration.  Ultrasound can also be used to localize peripheral lung nodules for biopsy, sometimes with fluoroscopy at the same time.  Ultrasound is sometimes indicated as a second attempt at biopsy before surgery may be required.

*Foreign body removal. 

Retrieval of foreign bodies may be possible by bronchoscopy.  Depending on the circumstances, deep sedation or general anesthesia may be needed. 

Department of Medicine | Medical College of Georgia
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May 16, 2007