What Is Interventional Pulmonology?
Interventional pulmonologists are highly trained specialists who use advanced, non-surgical therapies to treat your respiratory system. Interventional pulmonologists have experience with a broad range of cancerous and non-cancerous conditions that involve the airways, lungs and pleural space (the cavity between your lungs and underneath your chest wall).
Interventional Pulmonology vs. General Pulmonology
Interventional and general pulmonologists both diagnose and treat people with non-cancerous and cancerous conditions affecting the airways, lungs, and pleural spaces. Both perform procedures to help diagnose and treat patients. Interventional pulmonologists have additional training and experience with the latest cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures, which some patients need as part of their diagnosis or treatment plan.
Collaboration with Huntsman Cancer Institute at The University of Utah
Our interventional pulmonologists work with other expert providers at Huntsman Cancer Institute to treat people with cancers of the lung and chest wall, including rare cancers. They are part of a lung cancer team that includes thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation therapists, and others.
Our team of multidisciplinary lung cancer specialists is dedicated to your care and well-being. Together, we review each case, coordinate treatment, and plan follow-up care. Our team meets often to discuss your specific needs. We use the most advanced methods and innovative, state-of-the-art technology available to help you heal.
When To See an Interventional Pulmonologist
If you experience any of the symptoms below, make an appointment with your primary care provider or a pulmonologist:
-
Cough that will not go away or worsens
-
Cough with blood
-
Chronic chest pain that lasts a month or more, especially if it worsens when you inhale or cough
-
Chronic mucus production that lasts a month or more
-
Difficulty breathing
-
Noisy breathing
Your primary care provider or pulmonologist will evaluate you and discuss your symptoms. They will refer you to an interventional pulmonologist if they think you may need specialized care from an interventional pulmonologist.
Interventional pulmonologists do not perform surgery. If you need surgery, your pulmonologist will refer you to a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Find an Interventional Pulmonologist
Conditions We Treat
Our specialists care for patients with a wide range of conditions:
-
Bleeding or inflammation in the lungs or airways
-
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema
-
Lung cancer and other types of cancer that have spread to the thoracic (chest) area
-
Lung nodules and masses (cancerous and non-cancerous)
-
Pleural diseases (diseases affect the tissue outside your lungs)
Interventional Pulmonology Treatment
Our specialists offer the following procedures to help diagnose and treat lung disease:
-
Bronchoscopy–Interventional pulmonologists use a bronchoscope to view your lungs and air passages. This tool is a thin tube with a light and tiny camera at its tip. Your specialist passes the bronchoscope through your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. They may pass special devices through the tube to help diagnose and treat lung disease.
-
Airway procedures–Your specialist may use a bronchoscopy to remove blockages or widen your airway.
-
Drain fluid from your pleural cavity–Patients may need this procedure to reduce air, blood, or fluid buildup in the pleural space.
-
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)–An endobronchial ultrasound is a procedure used to examine the lungs for various conditions that cause enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. Your specialist runs a bronchoscope with a built-in ultrasound probe through your mouth, windpipe, and lungs. It helps them create a personalized treatment plan for people with lung cancer or other conditions, such as an infection.
-
Lung biopsy–Your specialist collects a small piece of tissue from your lung or nearby lymph nodes. They test this sample to help detect cancer, infection, and other conditions.
-
Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy–This advanced technology allows specialists to test and treat parts of your lung that are impossible to reach using other methods. Robotic assistance can provide interventional pulmonologists greater precision, efficiency, and control during a bronchoscopy.
What To Expect When You See an Interventional Pulmonologist
Our specialists see patients at Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital. You can expect your interventional pulmonologist to do the following:
-
Discuss your symptoms and other concerns
-
Perform a physical exam
-
Look at previous medical imaging scans with you
-
Recommend treatment and help you understand what to expect
-
Explain what will happen in the days and weeks after treatment
-
Answer your questions
Interventional Pulmonology Tests
Your provider may order tests before your procedure:
-
CT (computed tomography) scan of the chest
-
PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed CT) scan—This test uses low-dose radiation and X-ray technology to produce detailed images of the body.
Why Choose University of Utah Health for Interventional Pulmonology?
Interventional pulmonologists at U of U Health work with other specialists to care for people with lung disease. They are Utah’s most experienced interventional pulmonologists. Patients from throughout the Mountain West region rely on them for care.
Our close-knit team focuses on diagnosing and treating your concerns quickly. They also stay up to date on leading research. You’ll have access to the latest treatments and technologies before they become widely available.
Refer a Patient
Patients need a referral from their provider to make an appointment with an interventional pulmonologist at U of U Health.
