Interventional Pulmonology
We are proud to offer interventional pulmonology at UNC Pulmonology. Interventional pulmonology is an evolving subspecialty offered in pulmonary care. Pulmonologists that specialize in interventional pulmonology can offer advanced care to patients with lung cancer and other chronic pulmonary conditions.
Services Offered
Our interventional pulmonologist, Dr. Franklin McGuire, offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of our patients.
Therapeutic Bronchoscopy
We provide relief of dyspnea (difficulty breathing) from cancerous and non-cancerous causes using rigid and flexible bronchoscopy techniques and state of the art equipment including:
- Ablation Techniques
- Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)
- Balloon Bronchoplasty
- Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR) - Valves for COPD Treatment
- Cryotherapy
- Electrocautery
- Endobronchial Brachytherapy
- Mechanical Debulking
- Percutaneous Tracheostomy
- Stenting
Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
We diagnose, stage and provide samples for therapeutic and prognostic testing and place fiducial markers for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT/Cyberknife) all within the same procedure and anesthesia session. We accomplish this with the most modern and state of the art equipment.
- Autofluorescence and Narrow-Band Imaging
- Linear and Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
- Robotic Bronchoscopy - Utilizing the Galaxy System
Pleural Disease Treatment
We provide consultation and treatment of benign and malignant pleural disease such as mesothelioma, metastatic cancer, connective tissue diseases, bronchopleural fistula/persistent air leak and both acute and chronic infection in concert with other disciplines. We perform all pleural procedures under image guidance (ultrasound or CT) including:
- Chemical Pleurodesis/Pleural Sealing
- Medical Thoracoscopy
- Pleural Manometry
- Tunneled Pleural Catheter (PleurRX®) Placement
- Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis
- Ultrasound-Guided Small Bore Chest Tube/Pigtail Catheter Placement
- Ultrasound-Guided Pleural and Lymph Node Biopsy
