The Pulmonary Medicine Department provides an outpatient bronchoscopy service. Bronchoscopies are useful in the investigation of such problems as coughing or an abnormal chest X-ray, and are performed under local anaesthetic. This procedure is performed after consultation with the Pulmonologist.

A modern endoscopy suite with fluoroscopy is available for outpatient and inpatient bronchoscopy. A Fibre Optic Bronchoscopy system with video and photographic capability is used for performing bronchoscopies. Fibre Optic Bronchoscopy helps in the complete visual assessment of air passages, and in making a clear-cut diagnosis of infection, cancerous changes, and also in obtaining biological samples for pathological examination.

Therapeutic procedures are also carried out for the arrest of bleeding, removal of pus from airways, avulsion of small polypoid tumours and broncho-alveolar lavage, which are undertaken by qualified Pulmonologists. These procedures are performed under local anaesthesia

• Broncho-alveolar lavage
• Bronchial biopsies
• Brushings
• Endobronchial stent placement

PFT's are useful in diagnosing various lung disorders. They also measure the degree of impairment due to disease. The progression of a disease and the effectiveness of treatments can be carefully observed with regularly scheduled testing. Pulmonary Function Tests are also used frequently to assess pre-operative risk.

Spiral and High Resolution CT in the Imaging Centre

The Pulmonary Medicine department works closely with the AIMS Imaging Centre to provide sophisticated diagnostic analyses. CT Scanner is a high-end spiral scanner that provides high resolution imaging for cases of lung diseases, mediastinal diseases, and chest wall tumours. The software for the spiral CT creates a CT endoscopy and a CT bronchoscopy, and a continuous helical acquisition which provides a 3-D volume scan allowing a radiologist to better localize very small tumours.

The Scintigraphy Test in Nuclear Medicine is extremely useful in the detection and localization of pulmonary thrombo-embolisms (by a Ventilation Perfusion Scan) as well as of primary and secondary tumours. The Gamma Camera is also used for pulmonary function testing to predict postoperative lung function prior to surgery when the routine pulmonary function test is borderline.

• Diffusing capacity
• Oxygen saturation
• Spirometry
• Fibre Optic Bronchoscopy
• Allergy test against large number of potential allergens

• Computerized Spirometry, MVV, F/V Loop, Bronchoreversibility studies
• Diffusion tests - DLCO and VA for estimation of severity of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
• Six minutes walk test and O2 titration
• ABG analysis, including post exercise ABG

The latest facilities available for evaluation of Sleep Apnoea in collaboration with the Department of Neurosciences include:

• Polysomnography with measurement of nasal airflow resistance, thoracic excursion matched with changes in SpO2.
• A Smoking Cessation Clinic that deals with smoking cessation programme for heavy smokers who are motivated to stop smoking, including:
  • Psychosocial counselling
  • Medical health check-up
  • Pharmocological intervention