The focus of this programme was to disseminate knowledge and practical tips to ensure the most effective use of the newer modalities available in the field of procedural pulmonology
Apollo Specialty Hospital conducted a master class on Endo Bronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscope (EBUS) which brought together several prominent pulmonologists from across the city. The focus of this programme was to disseminate knowledge and practical tips to ensure the most effective use of the newer modalities available today in the field of procedural pulmonology. The Apollo Pulmonology team presented some unusual and challenging cases which have been successfully diagnosed and treated at the centre. The one day session included a comprehensive lecture covering basic to advanced procedural chest medicine and a live case demonstration.
Dr Mark Krasnik, one of the original prototype developers of EBUS and an internationally well respected thoracic doctor was the main faculty for the session. He also serves as a consultant assistant professor leading the department of thoracic surgery at Gentofte University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. Specifically mentioning about the pulmonology intervention suite at Apollo Jayanagar, Dr Krasnik said, “The Pulmonology center here is better than many international set ups I have seen and definitely ahead of the centers I have seen in India so far.”
“We are very happy that with increasing need for Pulmonology and Chest Medicine in the country, we are able to provide internationally comparable services, infrastructure and expertise, which can lay the way for good outcomes and comprehensive care for our population. This also helps to take the field ahead by leaps and bounds in terms of standard of care and research, which is strongly lacking in our country,” said Dr Ravindra Mehta, Head, Chest Medicine Team & Senior Pulmonologist, Apollo Speciality Hospital, Jayanagar.
The session was concluded with a live case demonstration of a complex procedure on a patient referred from an outside hospital. The patient had neurological complications and was being treated as TB for CNS vasculitis for 15 months with no improvement. Patient had presented himself at Apollo Specialty hospital with enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. Dr Mehta performed a highly specialised procedure with EBUS which involved the use of ultrasound in the airways with a bronchoscope. The unique method was used to obtain biopsies from the mass from within his airways, without any surgical incisions. The technology for these kinds of procedures is available abroad but has not been available in India so far.