Advanced Respiratory Endoscopy

In order to offer its patients the latest technological developments in diagnosing and treating lung conditions, HM Hospitales has set up an Advanced Respiratory Endoscopy Program. This program gives patients access to cutting-edge techniques, enabling them to derive maximum benefit from the diagnosis and treatment of their lung conditions.

What is respiratory endoscopy?

Respiratory endoscopy is an essential tool in the diagnosis and treatment of bronchial and lung conditions. Bronchoscopy makes it easier to tackle diseases affecting the airways, and covers the upper and lower airways, the lungs and the mediastinum. 

What is endoscopy used for?

Endoscopy not only enables a diagnostic assessment of many lung conditions, it is also essential in studying lung cancer and other neoplastic conditions affecting the tract consisting of the larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. With the information provided by this technique, doctors can plan multi-disciplinary and personalized treatments, choosing the most suitable paths for each patient.

Respiratory endoscopy is not just a diagnostic procedure, it's also a therapeutic tool. Numerous interventions can be carried out using the technique, including the insertion of endobronchial valves for treating emphysema or post-surgery air leaks. With rigid bronchoscopy, benign growths can be treated without the need for open surgery (thoracotomy), along with inflammatory tracheobronchial stenosis and obstructive or symptomatic malignant growths (haemoptysis).

Centers that offer the Respiratory Endoscopy Program

The Advanced Respiratory Endoscopy Program serves all the centers of the HM Hospitales Group, but some techniques, examinations and procedures included in the service portfolio are only offered at Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro.

Respiratory Endoscopy Program service portfolio

Diagnostic bronchofibroscopy and videobronchoscopy

• Bronchoaspiration (BAS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for microbiological or cytological study.
• Bronchial brushing and biopsy for anatomo-pathological study.
• Transbronchial biopsy, also for anatomo-pathological study.
• Hilum or mediastinum puncture with Wang needles for anatomo-pathological study.
• Radioscopy-guided transbronchial biopsy.
• EUS and EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) for diagnosis and staging
• Ultrasound definition of mediastinal lesions.
• FNAP of mediastinal adenomegalies and growths.
• Staging of lung cancer.

Therapeutic videobronchoscopy

• Electrosurgery with diathermy handle for resection of benign endobronchial growths.
• Use of argon plasma, resection of malignant growths.
• Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy
• Extraction of foreign objects.
• Excision of benign growths.
• Balloon dilation bronchoplasty for inflammatory stenosis.
• Treatment of malignant tumours with argon plasma.<
• Placement of bronchial stents, tracheal stents and Y-stents for the carina.
• Placement and check-up of Montgomery T-tubes.
• Placement and check-up of Sumon and polyflex tubes.

Soon-to-be-implemented techniques

• Cryobiopsies.
• Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for emphysema.

Structure of the Respiratory Endoscopy Medical Team

Program Director

Dr Prudencio Díaz-Agero Álvarez.

Staff doctors

• Dr Sergio Alcolea Batres.
• Dr Luis Gómez Carrera.
• Dr Fco. Javier Montoro Zulueta.
• Dr Máximo Gómez Fernández.
• Dr Alberto Iglesias Sigüenza.