Program Specialties
Thoracic Interventional Program
The Thoracic Interventional Program (TIP) is a joint program between pulmonary/critical care medicine and thoracic surgery at Yale Cancer Center. This collaboration combines advanced, state-of-the-art technology with physicians dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of patients with lung diseases. The following minimally-invasive procedures are some highlights of the program:
Evaluation and Treatment of Lung Disease
Peripheral endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS): This exciting technology improves the yield for diagnosing lung nodules, masses or infiltrates compared to bronchoscopy without ultrasound-guidance. Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) is one of only a few hospitals in the state with this technology.
Electromagnetic navigation: YNHH is the only hospital in the state of Connecticut offering this “GPS-like” bronchoscopic guidance through the lungs to nodules or masses in need of diagnosis.
Additional information can be obtained at: www.superdimension.comConfocal microscopy: Physicians at Yale are among the first in the world to use and research this endomicroscopic system that enables visualization within the alveolus of the lung. Its applicability is anticipated to extend towards diagnosing and understanding lung disease at a microscopic level.
Watch a Video Clip of a Confocal Microscopy Procedure.
Whole Lung Lavage: TIP physicians are trained to treat patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) through this and other techniques.
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS): Many of today’s surgeries for the treatment of lung cancer or for the diagnosis of lung diseases can be performed through minimally invasive techniques, including VATS and other procedures.
Evaluation and Treatment of Mediastinal Disease
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS): EBUS has revolutionized the ability to diagnose mediastinal lymph node involvement and the diagnosis of central lung lesions. YNHH has the most experience and expertise with this technology of any hospital in the state. Watch a Video Clip of an Endobronchial Ultrasound.
Mediastinoscopy/Mediastinotomy: The thoracic surgeons at Yale are specially trained in the surgical evaluation and treatment of mediastinal disease.
Evaluation and Treatment of Pleural Disease
Pleural Effusions: Ultrasound-guidance improves the safety of removing fluid from around the lungs (thoracentesis). Physicians in TIP are trained in pleural ultrasound and offer same-day evaluation and procedures for patients with pleural effusions.
http://www.thoracic.org/sections/education/patient-education/patient-information-series/resources/en/thoracentesis.pdfTunneled Pleural Catheters: When surgery is not an option, the placement of small tubes can allow drainage of fluid that accumulates around the lungs. This is particularly useful for effusions caused by cancer, allowing people to control the drainage of the fluid at home.
Thoracoscopy: The diagnosis and treatment of various pleural diseases can be accomplished by minimally-invasive techniques in the pleural space. This enables a fast recovery for pleural diseases.
Evaluation and Treatment of Airway Disease
Airway stent placement: TIP offers flexible and rigid bronchoscopic modalities for placing airway stents in patients who cannot breathe well due to obstruction of the airways. Whether the stent is silicone, metal, hybrid, Y-shaped, specifically configured or otherwise, physicians at Yale have the skills necessary to place and manage these stents.
Airway therapy: Laser, argon plasma coagulation, and electrocautery are some of the techniques available to assist in managing airway lesions (cancerous and benign tumors). These therapies are available at Yale Cancer Center. Watch a Video Clip of Laser Therapy.
Summary
The Thoracic Interventional Program (TIP) at Yale Cancer Center offers advanced technology not available in most places for the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of lung and thoracic diseases. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 688-LUNG.