A Brief Report of Interventional Pulmonology Program in Pulmonary Division of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Besides the basic bronchoscopic and pleural procedures, the following diagnostic andtherapeutic IP procedures are performed in our service especially in the field of lung cancer:1. Medical thoracoscopy (Pleuroscopy). This procedure is performed in Operating Theatre andunder conscious sedation. The main indication is undiagnosed exudative lymphocytic pleuraleffusions. In the proper setting, chemical pleurodesis is performed.2. Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA). This procedure is performed in ourbronchoscopy suit under conscious sedation, for evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes. The mainlymph node stations that are accessible by this technique, are evaluated. In our service, with thecontribution of the pathology department, Rapid On Site Evaluation (ROSE) is available andapplied in all TBNA cases.3. Rigid bronchoscopy. This procedure is performed in Operating Theatre under general anesthesiafor tracheal dilatation, high risk flexible bronchoscopies, hemoptysis, & etc.4. Cryotherapy. Depending the clinical setting, this procedure is performed under general anesthesiaor conscious sedation. Cryotherapy is applied for airway tumor ablation, foreign body removal,&etc.5. Argon plasma coagulation (APC). APC is applied beside the standard flexible bronchoscopy forthe control of bleeding in high risk situations. Also, in proper clinical settings, airway tumorablation is done by APC.Two interesting cases will be presented and discussed during session.