Interventional Pulmonology

New Technology Augments Traditional Bronchoscopy

The Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Pulmonary Department offers two new advanced treatment modalities to augment traditional bronchoscopy. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) and Electronic Navigational Bronchoscopy (ENB) are available to benefit our patients.

EBUS and ENB are a twist on traditional bronchoscopy. Complimentary in nature, these relatively new modalities offer additional flexibility for physicians in diagnosing and staging diseases of the lungs.

EBUS allows physicians to visualize structures outside the endobronchial tree with the addition of an ultrasound at the end of the bronchoscope. Real-time ultrasound guidance allows physicians to perform minimally invasive techniques to obtain tissue or fluid samples from the lungs and surrounding lymph nodes through the bronchoscope, eliminating the need for diagnostic surgery for many patients.

The Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ (ENB) system uses electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy to access lesions (spots) deep in the lungs in a very minimally invasive manner, without incisions. ENB can be used to guide biopsies of small or incidentally found pulmonary nodules that previously were unreachable using conventional bronchoscopy equipment.

These procedures are performed in a newly renovated state-of-the-art bronchoscopy suite. ENB and EBUS are performed under moderate sedation and most individuals go home the same day with minimal discomfort. Some patients experience a mild sore throat, hoarseness, or cough following the procedure.