The departments of medicine and surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, have developed a program in interventional bronchoscopy and endobronchial therapy for the treatment of patients with endobronchial tumors or tracheobronchial obstruction. Utilizing either flexible or rigid bronchoscopy, a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic options are available for patients with benign or malignant airway pathology. The interventional bronchoscopy and endobronchial therapy program draws on the full resources of Columbia University Medical Center, including substantial expertise in the divisions of thoracic surgery and pulmonary medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.

Diseases amenable to curative therapy include:

	Endobronchial carcinoma in situ
	Microinvasive endobronchial lung cancer
	Benign tracheobronchial tumors
	Foreign body aspiration

Diseases amenable to palliative therapy include:

	Malignant tracheobronchial obstruction due to primary or metastatic tumors
	Benign tracheal or bronchial stenosis
	Tracheoesophageal fistulas

Therapeutic modalities include:

	Nd-YAG laser ablation of obstructing tissue
	Argon Plasma Coagulation (noncontact electrocautery) of obstructing tissue
	Photodynamic therapy for primary or metastatic endobronchial tumors
	Brachytherapy (intraluminal radiotherapy) for endobronchial or extrinsic malignant obstruction
	Tracheal and bronchial stents
	Balloon dilatation
	Tracheal dilatation by rigid bronchoscopy
	Gross tumor excision by rigid bronchoscopy
	Foreign body extraction by flexible or rigid bronchoscopy

Bronchial stenosis post-stent insertion
Obstructing endobronchial lung cancer

Surgical modalities include:

	Tracheal resection and reconstruction
	Sleeve resections
	Repair of tracheoesophageal fistulas

Diagnostic modalities include:

	Transbronchial needle aspiration
	Endobronchial and transbronchial biopsies
	Bronchoalveolar lavage

Patients with central airway obstruction are often symptomatic due to dyspnea, recurrent pneumonias, or hemoptysis. Relief of tracheal or bronchial obstruction can often relieve these symptoms and improve quality of life for patients.

To refer a patient to the NewYork-Presbyterian Interventional Bronchoscopy and Endobronchial Therapy Program at Columbia University Medical Center, or to discuss a case, please contact:

General Thoracic Surgery
www.columbiathoracic.org

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care
http://www.healthsciences.columbia.edu/dept/pulmonary/
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