Diagnostic Bronchoscopy and Interventional Pulmonology

The first step in treating a lung condition is knowing what to treat. That’s why expert diagnosis matters. Henry Ford Health provides advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology procedures. These procedures, combined with our lung team’s expertise, deliver highly accurate diagnosis.

Interventional pulmonology at Henry Ford

Interventional techniques enable doctors to see inside your lungs without surgery or incisions. Our team has been a leader in helping to develop these technologies. That means you’ll find exceptional diagnostic experience right here in Michigan. And our treatments can help you feel more like yourself again. We offer:

• Advanced procedures: Our doctors have access to specific procedures to understand your lung condition and move toward the correct solution. We’ve helped develop some techniques that doctors all over the world use today. You can have confidence that you’re benefiting from years of experience and knowledge. Learn more about interventional pulmonology.
• Convenience: Some consultations, tests and procedures are available at satellite clinics around Michigan. If you travel from out of town for bronchoscopy at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, we try to schedule your physician consult and procedure on the same day. When that’s not possible, or if your doctor anticipates you may have surgery the next day, we can help arrange overnight housing. Find out more about our lung and pulmonary treatments.
• Seamless care: We can access your medical records through eHealth Connect . This means that you and your primary doctor can focus on your well-being, with a Henry Ford doctor who understands your medical history. Our team brings multiple specialists together to ensure you receive an accurate, informed diagnosis. We are always willing to talk with referring doctors and provide any needed information to improve your care. Meet our pulmonary team.

Interventional procedures to diagnose and treat lung conditions

During an interventional procedure, we take samples of lung secretions (fluid and mucus) or cells in your lungs. Our laboratory evaluates these samples to help diagnose the condition that’s causing your symptoms. Your diagnosis procedures may include:

• Bronchoscopy: We frequently use bronchoscopy to diagnose lung conditions. A bronchoscope is a hollow, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end of it. Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive (nonsurgical) procedure. We use it to examine your lungs, take video or photos, or biopsy (take samples from) your lung tissue. Learn more about our interventional pulmonology center and bronchoscopy suite.
• Airway examination and bronchoalveolar lavage: Using a bronchoscope, we can look into tiny parts of your airways (the passages in your lungs). We might also use a saline solution to rinse out samples of lung secretions from small areas, where the bronchoscope can’t reach. Find out more about whole lung lavage for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
• Cytological brushing: Cytology is the study of cells. Doctors extend a flexible brush through the bronchoscope. We use the brush to loosen cells from a suspicious growth and collect them for testing.
• Autofluorescence bronchoscopy: A fluorescent light attached to the end of a bronchoscope makes healthy tissue look green and diseased tissue look red. With the help of the light, we can sample any abnormal tissue.
• Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB): Much like your car’s GPS system, ENB gives doctors a 3-D virtual roadmap of your lungs. The ENB system guides doctors in locating tumors to take tissue samples. Henry Ford uses the superDimension™ Navigation System.
• Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA): Sometimes, we need to take tissue samples from the lymph nodes (small collections of cells that fight infection) in the lungs. CT scans of the chest guide us as we insert a small needle through a bronchoscope. Then, we can sample a few cells from the lymph node for an accurate diagnosis.
• Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and EBUS-TBNA: EBUS devices help doctors understand if something in the lung is solid. This information tells us what kind of tissue your lung contains. With EBUS-TBNA, ultrasound imaging guides us as we locate tissue through the airway walls. Then, using a needle, we take samples of that tissue. Our team helped to develop the EBUS-TBNA equipment, and we have extensive experience taking samples this way

Call Interventional Pulmonology

Call our Interventional Pulmonology team at (313) 916-4406.