Diagnostic
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
In addition to obtaining material for histological, cytological, microbiological and molecular biological examinations using conventional videobronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) can also be used to visualize and precisely puncture changes outside the directly visible wall of the airways. This is of great importance for the diagnosis of lung cancer and for the precise planning of the next steps. But it is also a very important diagnostic method for other diseases such as infections.
Therapeutic
Laser therapy and stent insertion for obstructed airways by rigid bronchoscopy
This involves the local treatment of occasionally benign but mostly malignant diseases of the respiratory tract, either for palliative reasons or as a temporary measure before a planned additional therapy. The airways partially or completely blocked by the tumor are reopened and kept open by means of splinting (stenting). Access is through the mouth into the trachea and into the central airways through a rigid brochoscope tube. The procedure is performed under anesthesia.
Emphysema therapy
On the other hand, as an alternative to surgical treatment of emphysema, the most severely overinflated and thus destroyed areas of the lungs are collapsed with valves or coils in patients selected on an interdisciplinary basis. This creates more space for the less severely affected lung sections, which the affected person also subjectively feels as a reduction in breathlessness.
Routinely used instruments include rigid and flexible high-resolution video endoscopes, fluorescence endoscopes, ultrasound endoscopes, lasers, argon plasma coagulators, dilatation balloons and cryotherapy devices. For the treatment of bronchial constrictions (e.g. caused by tumors), it is possible to insert a placeholder (so-called stent).