Interventional Pulmonology

When conventional respiratory therapies aren’t enough, advanced procedural interventions can be life-changing, sometimes even life-saving. As a top-tier interventional pulmonologist and one of the best lung specialists in Hyderabad, Dr. Kishan Srikanth, MD, DM, provides specialized, minimally invasive procedures designed to address airway obstructions, tumors, bleeding, and foreign bodies with unmatched accuracy.

Procedures Offered in Interventional Pulmonology

01. Flexible Bronchoscopy

A gold-standard, minimally invasive procedure of modern respiratory diagnostics, flexible bronchoscopy provides a direct, high-resolution view of the tracheobronchial tree. An indispensable part of respiratory care, this procedure aids in:

Detecting tumors, strictures, bleeding points, or mucosal abnormalities
Performing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), brushings, or transbronchial biopsies
Investigating symptoms like chronic cough, hemoptysis, or unexplained infections

When performed by a skilled interventional pulmonologist like Dr. Srikanth, the procedure becomes diagnostic and therapeutic, allowing for targeted suctioning, stent placement, or foreign body removal if required.

02. Medical Thoracoscopy (Pleuroscopy)

Rarely used outside of advanced centers, thoracoscopy offers a powerful, minimally invasive solution for accurate lung and pleural diagnosis—when performed by skilled specialists:

Directly visualize and biopsy the pleura in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions
Detect pleural malignancy, tuberculosis, mesothelioma, or metastatic disease
Perform pleurodesis in patients with recurrent effusions With gentle sedation and local anesthesia, the procedure is safe, effective, and avoids the morbidity of open surgery. As one of Hyderabad’s leading interventional pulmonologists, Dr. Srikanth ensures diagnostic precision with minimal discomfort.

03. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)

EBUS represents the pinnacle of minimally invasive diagnostics for central thoracic lesions. It combines real-time ultrasound imaging with bronchoscopy to visualize structures beyond the airway walls, including:

Mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes (critical for lung cancer staging)
Masses adjacent to the airway
Lymphadenopathy due to infections like TB or systemic conditions like sarcoidosis

With EBUS, the need for open or CT-guided biopsies is significantly reduced. Accessing high-risk regions with minimal risk is a breakthrough—particularly in the hands of a lung disease expert with deep experience in advanced bronchoscopic techniques.

04. Cryobiopsy

When standard transbronchial biopsies are inconclusive, cryobiopsy offers a significant diagnostic advantage. It involves:

Using cryoprobes to extract larger, better-preserved lung tissue samples
Enhancing histopathological accuracy for ILD classification
Reducing the need for surgical lung biopsy

05. Rigid Bronchoscopy & Airway Stenting

Airway obstructions can severely impact your breathing and quality of life. Utilizing rigid bronchoscopy, Dr. Srikanth can directly visualize and access your airways to remove obstructions and place stents as needed. This procedure is particularly effective for:

Tracheal or Bronchial Stenosis: Narrowing of the airways due to scarring, inflammation, or external compression.
Tumor Obstructions: Blockages caused by benign or malignant growths.
Airway Collapse: Conditions like tracheomalacia lead to airway instability.

By placing silicone or metallic stents, Dr. Srikanth ensures that your airways remain open, facilitating improved airflow and alleviating symptoms such as breathlessness and coughing.

06. Tumor Debulking & Airway Stenosis Repair

Tumors within the airway can lead to significant breathing difficulties. Dr. Srikanth employs advanced techniques to reduce tumor size and repair airway narrowing:

Mechanical Debulking: Physically removing portions of the tumor to clear the airway.

Laser Therapy: Using targeted laser energy to remove tumor tissue to reopen your airways for easier breathing.

Balloon Dilation: Expanding narrowed sections of the airway to restore patency.

These procedures promptly relieve symptoms, improve breathing, and enhance the overall quality of life.

07. Cryo Extraction & Foreign Body Removal

Inhaling foreign objects or the presence of obstructive tissues can be life-threatening. Dr. Srikanth specializes in emergency airway clearance using:

Cryo Extraction: Employing extreme cold to adhere to and remove foreign bodies or unwanted tissues.

Foreign Body Removal: Retrieving inhaled objects, such as food particles or small items, obstruct breathing.

These interventions are performed promptly to restore normal breathing and prevent further complications.

Why Choose Dr. Kishan Srikanth for Interventional Pulmonology?

Expertise: As a distinguished super-specialty lung specialist doctor in Hyderabad, Dr. Srikanth has extensive experience performing complex airway procedures.

Advanced Training: His specialized training in interventional pulmonology equips him with the skills to handle intricate cases with precision.

Patient-Centered Care: Dr. Srikanth places your safety and comfort at the forefront, carefully customizing each procedure to suit your medical needs and condition.

What is interventional pulmonology?

Interventional pulmonology is a subspecialty of pulmonary medicine focused on minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat complex airway, pleural, and lung parenchymal diseases.

When is interventional pulmonology recommended?

It is indicated when non-invasive tests are inconclusive or when direct visualization, biopsy, drainage, or airway intervention is required, particularly in lung cancer, unexplained effusions, or persistent respiratory symptoms

What procedures does Dr. Kishan Srikanth perform under interventional pulmonology?

Dr. Srikanth offers advanced procedures such as flexible and rigid bronchoscopy, EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound), medical thoracoscopy, airway stenting, cryotherapy, pleural biopsies, and fluid drainage.

Is bronchoscopy painful or risky?

Bronchoscopy is a safe, well-tolerated procedure performed under conscious sedation or general anesthesia. Risks are minimal when conducted by an experienced interventional pulmonologist.

What is the role of EBUS in lung cancer diagnosis?

EBUS enables real-time needle biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes without surgery, offering a precise, minimally invasive method to stage and diagnose lung cancer.

How is medical thoracoscopy different from bronchoscopy?

While bronchoscopy visualizes the airways, medical thoracoscopy examines the pleural space. It’s used to evaluate pleural effusions and obtain pleural biopsies under direct vision.

Will I need hospitalization for these procedures?

Most procedures are done on a day-care basis or with short hospital stays. Your care plan will be individualized depending on the procedure complexity and your overall health.

Are interventional pulmonology procedures only for cancer patients?

Not at all. These procedures are essential for managing non-malignant conditions like tuberculosis, chronic infections, pleural effusions, airway strictures, and unexplained hemoptysis.

Why should I choose Dr. Kishan Srikanth for interventional pulmonology?

Dr. Srikanth is among the few DM-certified interventional pulmonologists in Hyderabad, recognized nationally for his expertise, clinical outcomes, and patient-centered approach in high-risk respiratory procedures.

How do I know if I need an interventional pulmonology procedure?

If imaging or symptoms suggest complex respiratory pathology, or if conventional treatments haven’t yielded results, your pulmonologist may recommend a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. A direct consultation with Dr. Srikanth ensures a thorough evaluation.