Dignity Health is committed to delivering accurate and timely diagnoses for a comprehensive range of lung conditions. Our program integrates advanced, minimally invasive technologies to precisely identify and stage respiratory concerns, including those located in hard-to-reach areas of the lung.
Our sophisticated diagnostic capabilities include:
ION Robotic Bronchoscopy System: This state-of-the-art system represents a significant advancement in the detection and diagnosis of lung nodules. Leveraging robotic precision and enhanced maneuverability, the ION system allows our physicians to navigate an ultra-thin catheter through the intricate airways to reach peripheral lung nodules that are often inaccessible with traditional bronchoscopy.
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS): EBUS is a crucial minimally invasive procedure employed for the diagnosis and accurate staging of lung cancer, as well as for the evaluation of various other thoracic diseases. Utilizing a flexible bronchoscope equipped with an integrated ultrasound probe, EBUS provides real-time visualization of airways, blood vessels, and mediastinal lymph nodes. This advanced imaging capability allows our specialists to precisely target, characterize, and obtain tissue biopsies from lymph nodes and lesions adjacent to the airways, significantly enhancing diagnostic yield and often precluding the need for more invasive surgical procedures.
These integrated technologies underscore our commitment to providing our patients with the most advanced diagnostic pathways, facilitating early intervention and the development of highly individualized treatment strategies.
If a spot or nodule has been found on your lung, your doctor might suggest a lung biopsy. While most lung nodules (over 95%) are not cancerous, a biopsy can provide a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample from the nodule, which is then examined under a microscope to determine if cancer or another condition is present.
There are different methods for performing a lung biopsy, and the best approach for you will depend on factors like the nodule's size, location, and your overall lung health.Your doctor may recommend one of the following biopsy methods:
A lung biopsy is a critical diagnostic procedure performed when imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or PET scans, reveal suspicious findings in the lungs that require further investigation. These findings often include:
The primary goal of a lung biopsy is to obtain a tissue sample that can be analyzed by a pathologist. This analysis helps to:
At Dignity Health, our pulmonology experts use advanced, minimally invasive techniques like EBUS and ION robotic bronchoscopy to perform precise lung biopsies, reducing patient discomfort and expediting accurate diagnoses. Your physician will discuss whether a lung biopsy is necessary for your specific condition and which biopsy method is most appropriate.
When a suspicious spot on your lung (known as a lung nodule) is identified through screening or other imaging tests, the next critical step is often a biopsy to determine if it's cancerous or benign. At Dignity Health, we are proud to offer ION robotic bronchoscopy, an advanced, minimally invasive technology that revolutionizes the way we diagnose even the most challenging-to-reach lung nodules.
The ION system represents a significant leap forward in lung biopsy technology. It utilizes a highly maneuverable, ultra-thin robotic catheter that our board-certified pulmonologists expertly navigate through your natural airways. Guided by a sophisticated 3D mapping system of your lungs, the ION robot can reach deep into the lung periphery – areas previously inaccessible without more invasive surgical procedures.
The ION Advantage: Why It Matters for Patients
At Dignity Health, our investment in ION robotic bronchoscopy underscores our commitment to advanced lung health and providing our community with the most precise diagnostic tools available. If you have a suspicious lung nodule, discuss with your physician whether ION could be part of your diagnostic pathway.
EBUS stands for Endobronchial Ultrasound.
It's a minimally invasive, sophisticated procedure used primarily in pulmonology to diagnose and stage lung cancer and other chest conditions.
EBUS is a specialized bronchoscopy that combines conventional bronchoscopy with ultrasound technology. During an EBUS procedure, a thin, flexible tube (bronchoscope) equipped with a tiny ultrasound probe at its tip is guided into the airways. This allows our expert pulmonologists to:
Why EBUS is Important (Its Uses):
Key Benefits of EBUS:
In simple terms, EBUS gives pulmonologists "eyes" outside the airways, allowing them to safely and accurately biopsy critical structures in the chest without major surgery.
At Dignity Health, EBUS is another example of our commitment to providing advanced diagnostic tools for comprehensive lung care, helping our patients receive timely and precise answers.
