AB 101. Update on interventional bronchology techniques.

Abstract

In recent years rapid development of technology led to the increase in number of interventional bronchology techniques available for use in respiratory endoscopy units (REU). Many of techniques are not readily available for routine use in bronchology, however their appliance significantly increases diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of bronchoscopy. Among diagnostic interventional bronchoscopy techniques recently advanced in REU of the Institute for pulmonary diseases of Vojvodina most facilitating are autofluorescence videobronchoscopy (AFI), narrow band imaging videobronchoscopy (NBI), radial and linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). In recent years REU team published several significant clinical trials in domain of AFI, NBI and EBUS. These techniques became routine diagnostic tools for detection of lung cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and other respiratory disorders. Therapeutic interventional bronchoscopy techniques routinely used in treatment of malignant and non-malignant central airway obstruction are Nd:YAG laser resection, argon plasma coagulation, electrocautery, endobronchial brachytherapy, cryotherapy and tracheobronchial stenting. All of the techniques, except of stenting, are readily available for routine use at the REU. Large number of clinical trials in domain of therapeutic interventional pulmonology was in recent years published by the team of REU. Further development and improvement in use of diagnostic and therapeutic interventional pulmonology techniques is required in order to facilitate quality of medical care. Joint clinical trials with partners in EU and other countries would increase the quality of research and publications. Acquisition of more advanced techniques for diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases (electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, LungPoint virtual bronchoscopic navigation, technology for endobronchial lung volume reduction, bronchial thermoplatsy systems, etc) is one of the priorities of REU team at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina.