Northridge Hospital Medical Center

Breathe.

The only hospital in the San Fernando Valley to offer interventional pulmonology.

 

Interventional Pulmonology

Interventional Pulmonology is a newer subspecialty that uses highly specialized, minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for patients with lung cancer, airway disorders and pleural diseases. This branch of medicine has produced important new techniques that allow doctors to diagnose and treat chest and lung diseases less invasively — often reducing the number of procedures needed and their associated risk of complications. An interventional pulmonologist will receive a referral from a primary care physician or other specialist and collaborates with physicians practicing medical oncology, radiation oncology, and thoracic surgery as needed. Our specialists offer specialized care that allows you to breathe easier.

An annotated graph of lung structure

Interventional Pulmonary Services

Interventional pulmonology techniques can help diagnose central and peripheral lung nodules or masses, stage mediastinal lung cancer, and detect centrally located lung cancers early. Therapeutic uses include specialized procedures used to treat asthma, early stage lung cancer, central airway obstruction of benign or malignant origin, hemoptysis, persistent broncho-pleural fistulas, and placement of fiducial markers for stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Collectively, the procedures we offer allow us to:

  • Biopsy, diagnose and stage lung cancer all in one procedure.
  • Diagnose and treat complex medical conditions that cause narrowed or blocked airways.
  • Diagnose and treat pleural diseases, which are conditions that affect the space around the lungs (sometimes referred to as the pleural cavity).
  • Provide palliative therapies that help relieve pain, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life through the duration of an illness.
  • Obtain tissue samples that allow doctors and researchers to genetically profile tumors, a vital step in creating targeted new therapies for lung cancer.

What We Do

We offer a multidisciplinary approach for our patients at Northridge Hospital. We provide comprehensive pleural care and have skilled specialists, knowledgeable about numerous advanced bronchoscopy procedures. We encourage you to learn all you can about your disease so you can partner with us in treating and managing your condition.

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Lung Conditions We Treat

Conditions we treat include:

  • Undiagnosed lung nodules and masses (spots on the lungs)
  • Abnormal lymph nodes in the chest
  • Complications of advanced lung cancer
  • Benign airway stenosis (non-cancerous narrowing of the airway)
  • Unusual causes of pneumonia (lung infection and inflammation)
  • Pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs)
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Certain cases of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Referral from Your Physician

Most patients are referred to an interventional pulmonologist when their doctor suspects a more complex lung or breathing disorder. If you have persistent pain, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, visit your primary care doctor. Your doctor can help you determine if a referral is needed.

Note: Sudden chest pain and trouble breathing may be signs of a life-threatening issue — please call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department right away.

Learn More about Interventional Pulmonology at Northridge Hospital

For more information about Interventional Pulmonology, please call ((818) 855-8500 ext. 5691. At this time, Interventional Pulmonary procedures are performed by Tao He, MD.