Pulmonary Intervention Program

This exciting technology improves the yield for diagnosing lung nodules, masses or infiltrates compared to bronchoscopy without ultrasound-guidance. Smilow Cancer Hospital is one of only a few hospitals in the state with this technology.

Smilow Cancer Hospital 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.

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.

PIP physicians are trained to treat patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) through this and other techniques.

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.

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.

The thoracic surgeons at Yale are specially trained in the surgical evaluation and treatment of mediastinal disease.

Ultrasound-guidance improves the safety of removing fluid from around the lungs (thoracentesis). PIP Physicians are trained in pleural ultrasound and offer same-day evaluation and procedures for patients with pleural effusions.

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.

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.

PIP 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.

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 Smilow Cancer Hospital.