Interventional pulmonology is a new field within pulmonary medicine focused on the use of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for patients with lung cancer, airway disorders, and pleural diseases.

At UF Health we have a very strong focus on interventional pulmonology with a program which has been in place for more than ten years, making it one of the oldest and strongest programs in the state of Florida. We offer the most state-of-the-art treatments and therapies and are engaged in clinical research devoted to furthering the use of interventional pulmonology techniques.

UF Health’s Interventional Pulmonology Program works closely with thoracic surgery, oncology, radiation oncology, and radiology to provide comprehensive care to our patients.

Procedures

Some of the procedures we offer include:

• Minimally invasive advances diagnostics for Lung cancer/lung nodule
  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
  • Navigational bronchoscopy
  • Radial probe ultrasound
• Management of malignant airway obstruction
  • Argon Plasma coagulation
  • Stent insertion/ Removal
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Intratumoral chemotherapy
  • Cryotherapy
• Management of benign airway obstruction
  • Balloon dilation
  • Rigid bronchoscopy
  • Y stent for tracheobronchomalacia
• Management of pleural effusions
  • Thoracic ultrasound
  • Thoracoscopy/ Pleural biopsy
  • Pleurodesis
  • Indwelling pleural catheters
• Management of persistent airleaks
  • Endobronchial gluing
  • Endobronchial valves
• Bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma
• Cryobiopsy for interstitial lung diseases

Facilities

The lung diagnostic center is a hospital outpatient department consisting of two bronchoscopy procedural rooms offering services Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:30. The lab is located on the 6th floor of the North Tower of UF Health Shands Hospital. Our dedicated bronchoscopy suite is fully equipped with the most advanced flexible bronchoscopic tools, fluoroscopy, digital imaging, and pathology support. The suite is staffed by full-time bronchoscopy staff with advanced nurses and respiratory therapists specifically dedicated to assisting with bronchoscopies.

Faculty

The faculty for the fellowship includes members of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Medicine. The interventional pulmonology program is led by Dr. Hiren Mehta.