Interventional Pulmonology

Interventional pulmonology services

Our team provides rapid and effective diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for lung cancer, when every minute awaiting treatment counts.

Interventional pulmonology procedures are typically performed using a bronchoscope — a thin, lighted tube with a camera at the end. We insert the bronchoscope into your windpipe to view your airways and lungs without incisions. We can often diagnose, stage and sometimes treat lung diseases during a single procedure, reducing the need for multiple interventions.

We offer:

• Same-day procedures. In-office procedures can treat shortness of breath caused by fluid or air around the lungs.

• Endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsies. This quick and safe approach enables us to biopsy lymph nodes in the chest.

• Robot-assisted bronchoscopy. This minimally invasive technique uses 3D CT reconstructions to access the lung beyond the reach of a traditional bronchoscope.

• Endobronchial valve placement. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can breathe easier after our providers place valves that improve lung function.

• Airway stenting. We treat airway narrowing due to tumor growth with custom 3D printed airway stents.

• Lung cancer services. We work closely with thoracic medical oncologists at the UCSF Health Thoracic Surgery and Oncology Program. We perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including lung cancer diagnostics, staging, cryotherapy and placement of markers for radiation therapy.