Interventional Pulmonology
Virtua interventional pulmonologists diagnose and treat complex lung diseases using less invasive techniques, helping patients avoid surgery.
Breathing is essential for life, and our interventional pulmonologists take your ability to breathe very seriously. They use innovative, minimally invasive techniques to accurately diagnose lung and respiratory diseases and relieve related breathing difficulties.
Our Approach to Interventional Pulmonology
Lung and respiratory conditions can make breathing a struggle, affecting your quality of life. That's why Virtua offers interventional pulmonology, a specialized field with experts who focus on diagnosing and treating lung diseases using robotic and minimally invasive techniques, reducing the need for surgery or invasive procedures.
Leading-edge lung and respiratory care
Our interventional pulmonologists are highly trained doctors who use advanced tools to view your lungs and airways and perform procedures with minimal discomfort. This approach offers many benefits, including shorter recovery times, less pain, and reduced risk of complications compared to traditional surgery.
We also specialize in relieving related breathing issues, including airway collapse or blockages. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality of life, no matter where you’re at on your treatment journey.
Collaborating to provide you with the highest-quality care
If you’re being treated for a lung or respiratory condition, your doctor may refer you to an interventional pulmonologist. Our team works closely with Virtua pulmonary doctors, thoracic surgeons, and oncologists to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs.
While you’ll often meet us in the hospital for your interventional pulmonology procedure, we also provide evaluations and follow-up care at locations in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
No matter where we provide your care, our interventional pulmonology team will treat you with compassion, understanding, and respect.
Virtua Pulmonology Providers
Virtua pulmonary care doctors work with our board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional pulmonologists, who can accurately diagnose and provide less invasive treatments for advanced lung and respiratory disease.
Types of Lung and Respiratory Conditions We Treat
Interventional pulmonologists use advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to treat cancerous and non-cancerous conditions affecting your lungs, airway, and pleural space (the tissues that line the outside of your lungs and the inside of the chest cavity).
These conditions include:
- Airway collapse and blockages
- Emphysema
- Interstitial lung disease (disorders that cause worsening lung tissue scarring)
- Lung cancer and related complications
- Lung nodules
- Mesothelioma
- Pleural diseases, including pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and hemothorax
- Severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Interventional Pulmonology Tests and Treatments
Tests
Our advanced diagnostic tools include:
- Cryobiopsy: Freezes and removes a small tissue sample for analysis, often used to diagnose interstitial lung disease or lung cancer
- Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) – linear and radial: Uses sound waves to create detailed images of your airways to aid in biopsy and diagnosis
- Pleuroscopy: Diagnoses and treats fluid around the lungs
- Robotic bronchoscopy: Used to biopsy difficult-to-access nodules
- Transbronchial biopsy: Minimally invasive method to obtain lung tissue samples for diagnosis
Treatments
We treat pulmonary conditions using advanced, minimally invasive techniques, including:
- Argon plasma coagulation (APC): Removes airway tumors
- Bronchial blockers: Achieves lung separation
- Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR): Treats severe emphysema
- Cryotherapy: Freezes tumors that cannot be removed by surgery
- Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) – linear and radial: Diagnoses lung cancer and infections
- Indwelling tunneled pleural catheters: Drains fluid from the pleural space to reduce shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain
- Laser therapy: Shrinks or destroys tumors, removes blockages, and opens narrowed airways
- Percutaneous tracheostomy: A surgically created airway
- Pleurodesis: Relieves buildup of fluid around the lungs
- Snare cauterization: Heats, cuts, and controls bleeding of tissue
- Thoracic surgery: Treats lung, esophagus, or chest disease
- Tracheal and bronchial airway stents: Tubes placed in airways improve breathing
- Trachael and bronchial balloon dilatations: Expands narrowed airways and restores adequate airflow
- Zephyr valve COPD treatment: A one-way valve placed into your airway during a bronchoscopy that lets trapped air escape from damaged lung tissue.
The Virtua Difference for Interventional Pulmonology
Highly-rated patient care
In patient satisfaction surveys, our interventional pulmonologists average the highest ratings for their care. The team is recognized for being knowledgeable, caring, compassionate, and patient while listening to and answering questions.
Highly-rated patient care
In patient satisfaction surveys, our interventional pulmonologists average the highest ratings for their care. The team is recognized for being knowledgeable, caring, compassionate, and patient while listening to and answering questions.
Recognized excellence
The American College of Radiology has designated Virtua as a certified Lung Cancer Screening Center. We're also recognized as a Center of Excellence by the GO2 for Lung Cancer Foundation.
Recognized excellence
The American College of Radiology has designated Virtua as a certified Lung Cancer Screening Center. We're also recognized as a Center of Excellence by the GO2 for Lung Cancer Foundation.
Comprehensive expertise
Our lung program features a team of thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, pulmonary specialists, nurses, and therapists who collaborate to keep your lungs healthy and strong.
Comprehensive expertise
Our lung program features a team of thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, pulmonary specialists, nurses, and therapists who collaborate to keep your lungs healthy and strong.
Minimally invasive pioneers
Whenever possible, we utilize leading-edge, minimally invasive techniques, like robotic-assisted diagnostic procedures and treatments – all available at Virtua in South Jersey. This means smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery times.
Minimally invasive pioneers
Whenever possible, we utilize leading-edge, minimally invasive techniques, like robotic-assisted diagnostic procedures and treatments – all available at Virtua in South Jersey. This means smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery times.
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