At Providence Saint John’s Cardiothoracic Outpatient Clinic, our pulmonary department offers a specialized program that uses advanced methods, such as robotic navigational bronchoscopy, to check the lungs and airways. This helps us find and treat various lung problems – from pneumonia and lung infections to lung nodules and cancer.
We are pioneers in test and treatment development for common and complex lung problems, including:
Bronchoscopy lung volume reduction: This option is less invasive compared to surgery. It involves placing a one-way valve that allows air to exit from the most overinflated areas of the lungs. This helps reduce lung volume and ease breathing, which improves quality of life, the ability to exercise, and overall lung function for some patients with emphysema, a chronic lung disease.
Why Saint John’s Health Center is so highly recognized?
Putting our patients first leads to the best outcomes. We also know, and research has shown, that early detection and treatment of lung cancer can save lives. From a lung cancer screening program for early detection, to our lung nodule program that helps you keep a close eye on your condition over time, our care covers every part of your medical journey. Saint John’s is among the best hospitals in the US for Pulmonary Care Excellence, Overall Pulmonary Services (Top 10%), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (a Five-Star Recipient), Treatment of Pneumonia (a Five-Star Recipient) and rated as High Performing in Lung Cancer Surgery.
We also give each of our patients a nurse navigator. The nurse navigator is your guide, assisting you in making informed decisions about your treatment, and offers both physical and emotional support throughout your care, providing additional access to specialists as needed.
What are the Pulmonary Conditions Treated at Saint John’s
Aside from comprehensive treatment for lung cancer, patients can seek care for a variety of conditions, including:
- Asthma: A chronic condition where the airways narrow and swell, producing extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing
- Bronchial/tracheal stenosis: The abnormal narrowing of the trachea or bronchi, which can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, and frequent respiratory infections
- Bronchiectasis: A condition where the bronchial tubes are permanently widened and damaged, leading to mucus buildup, chronic cough, and frequent lung infections
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, characterized by obstructed airflow, breathing difficulties, and chronic cough
- Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder causing thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, leading to respiratory and digestive issues
- Emphysema: A type of COPD where the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs are damaged, causing shortness of breath and reduced oxygen exchange
- Interstitial lung disease: A group of disorders causing lung tissue scarring, leading to stiffness, reduced lung capacity, and difficulty breathing
- Lung cancer: Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs, often associated with smoking, causing symptoms like persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath
- Pleural disease: Conditions affecting the pleura (lining of the lungs), such as pleurisy, pleural effusion, and pneumothorax, causing chest pain and breathing difficulties
- Pneumonia/infectious disease of the lung: An infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs, causing cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing
- Pulmonary hypertension: High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, leading to shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain.
- Pulmonary nodule: A small, round growth in the lung, which can be benign or malignant, often found incidentally on imaging tests.
- Sleep apnea: A sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often causing loud snoring and daytime fatigue. It can be obstructive (due to throat muscles relaxing) or central (due to the brain not sending proper signals to breathing muscles)
- Tracheobronchomalacia: A condition where the trachea and bronchi are weakened and collapse, leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing, and a persistent cough. It can be congenital or acquired
Testing and Diagnostics for Pulmonary Care
Our pulmonologists use advanced tests to correctly diagnose lung problems. These results help them choose the most effective, individualized treatment for each patient.
Some of these diagnostic tests include:
EBUS bronchoscopy:
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscopy uses a flexible bronchoscope with an ultrasound probe to visualize and sample tissues from the lungs and surrounding lymph nodes. It’s often used to diagnose and stage lung cancer, infections, and other lung conditions
Flexible bronchoscopy:
Flexible bronchoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera through the mouth or nose into the lungs. It allows doctors to examine the airways, collect tissue samples, and remove obstructions. It’s commonly used to diagnose lung diseases, infections, and tumors
Lung biopsy:
A lung biopsy involves removing a small sample of lung tissue for examination under a microscope. It can be performed using various methods, including needle biopsy, transbronchial biopsy, and thoracoscopic biopsy, to diagnose lung diseases, infections, and cancer
Rigid bronchoscopy:
Rigid bronchoscopy uses a tube with a light and camera to examine the airways. It’s typically used to remove large obstructions, control bleeding, and perform biopsies. Rigid bronchoscopy is often performed under general anesthesia
Robotic navigational bronchoscopy:
Robotic navigational bronchoscopy is an advanced technique that uses a robotic system to guide a flexible bronchoscope with precision. It allows doctors to reach and biopsy small, hard-to-access lung nodules, improving the accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis and staging
Minimally Invasive Robotic Bronchoscopy and Biopsy
Dr. George Chaux describes robotic bronchoscopy using highly advance imaging techniques.
How are Pulmonary Conditions Treated?
At Providence Saint John’s Health Center, our team of lung specialists offer a variety of procedures – from well-known, trusted methods to advanced robotic surgeries – to develop a tailor, individual care plan for each patient. We ensure that you get the most effective treatment for your lung problems to ease day-to-day activities and help you breathe more comfortably.
These treatments include:
Ablation (Cryoablation):
Cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue, such as tumors. A cryoprobe is inserted into the target area, and the tissue is frozen, causing cell death. It’s often used for treating cancers and other conditions where surgery isn’t an option
Laser ablation:
This technique uses focused laser energy to remove or destroy tissue. It’s commonly used in various medical fields, including dermatology, ophthalmology, and oncology, to treat tumors, remove lesions, and perform precise surgical procedures
Argon plasma ablation:
Also known as argon plasma coagulation (APC), this method uses ionized argon gas and an electrical current to coagulate and destroy tissue. It’s often used during endoscopic procedures to control bleeding, remove tumors, and treat other conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and airways
Airway dilation and stenting:
This procedure involves using a bronchoscope to insert a balloon into a narrowed airway and inflate it to widen the passage. A stent may be placed to keep the airway open. It’s used to treat conditions like tracheal or bronchial stenosis, providing relief from breathing difficulties
Bronchial thermoplasty:
Bronchial thermoplasty treatment is used for severe asthma. A bronchoscope is used to deliver controlled radiofrequency energy to the airway walls, reducing the amount of smooth muscle and decreasing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. The procedure is typically done in three sessions
Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction:
Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction is a minimally invasive procedure is used to treat severe emphysema. A bronchoscope is used to place one-way valves in the airways, allowing trapped air to escape from overinflated parts of the lungs, improving lung function and reducing symptoms
Foreign body removal:
This involves using various techniques, such as forceps, suction, or endoscopy, to remove objects that have been inhaled or swallowed and are lodged in the airways or digestive tract. It’s crucial for preventing complications like infection, obstruction, or damage to tissues
Percutaneous tracheostomy:
Percutaneous tracheostomy is a surgical procedure where a tube is inserted into the trachea through a small incision in the neck to provide an airway for patients needing long-term ventilation. It’s often performed at the bedside in the ICU and is less invasive than traditional surgical tracheostomy
Pleural catheter:
A Pleural catheter is a small, flexible tube inserted into the pleural space to drain excess fluid, often due to conditions like pleural effusion or cancer. It helps relieve symptoms like shortness of breath and can be managed at home by the patient
Speak to a specialist. We are ready to support you every step of the way.
Schedule a lung cancer screening.
Taking the step to get a lung screening can be a powerful way to ensure your health and peace of mind. Early detection of lung issues can lead to more effective treatments and better outcomes. Scheduling a screening today.
Please call 855-306-9700.
Or, complete an online form to request a screening via Providence.org.
