Interventional Pulmonary Program

Using state-of-the-art technology, the Interventional Pulmonary Program at Rhode Island Hospital offers a number of minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with airway disorders, pleural disease and lung cancer. Our team includes pulmonologists who have received specialized training and are board certified in interventional pulmonology and are experienced in managing patients with complex airway and pleural diseases. Our program is affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Conditions Treated

We treat a wide variety of pulmonary conditions, including:

• Pulmonary nodules and lung masses
• Benign and malignant central airway obstruction
• Pleural effusion
• Pneumothorax

Approach and Services Offered

Each patient seen at the Interventional Pulmonary Program undergoes a thorough evaluation for their condition, including a detailed medical history and physical exam. 

Procedures offered include:

• Flexible bronchoscopy with and without lung biopsy
• Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Navigational bronchoscopy for biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions
• Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis
• Tunneled pleural catheter placement (Pleurx^®)
• Rigid bronchoscopy
• Argon plasma coagulation
• Spray cryotherapy
• Balloon dilation
• Airway stent placement
• Endobronchial brachytherapy
• Endobronchial valve placement
• Pleurodesis
• Percutaneous tracheostomy

Team Members

The Interventional Pulmonary Program interacts closely with a multidisciplinary team of specialists from pulmonary medicine, radiology, interventional radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology.  

We work closely with referring physicians to ensure the highest level of coordination of care. For patients diagnosed with cancer we also work closely with the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Rhode Island, The Miriam and Newport hospitals.