Specialized Treatment is Vital for Recovery
Pleural diseases should never be taken lightly. If not given the right treatment, the condition could rapidly worsen and in the worst case, have fatal consequences. The urgency of early diagnosis and treatment is also so that the underlying cause of the disorder can also be given the appropriate treatment. At the Kauvery Lung Centre, the most highly qualified and skilled specialists are available, along with the cutting-edge technology, medical equipment and facilities that are vital to providing the most effective treatment. The Kauvery Lung Centre also does ongoing research that is expanding our understanding of pleural diseases. Please find some of our research and publications below
Among the state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities available are:
- Pleural ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the internal organs the sound is directed to. A pleural ultrasound is used to evaluate the existence and extent of a known or suspected pleural effusion without exposure to radiation.
- Thoracoscopy: This is an endoscopic procedure that doctors use to view and examine the pleural lining and outer surface of the lungs. A thin flexible tube with a light and video camera at the end is inserted into the chest cavity through a small incision and the resulting images and biopsies are used to identify the nature of the pleural disorder.
- USG-guided pleural biopsy
- CT guided and closed biopsy: A biopsy is done to provide doctors with a detailed laboratory analysis of the nature of tissue. In the case of lung diseases, the doctor may order one to refine or confirm a diagnosis of pleural disease. Using the image from a CT scanner, a needle is inserted into the chest cavity and guided into the lung from where samples are removed for analysis.
- Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy: In this procedure, a thoracoscope is used to see the pleural areas affected by disease when CT cannot help and this visualization is used to perform a biopsy so that laboratory analysis of the affected tissue can be done.
- Pleural pigtail: A small catheter called a pigtail is inserted into the chest cavity and used to drain out excess pleural fluid or air.
- BPF Closures: A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) in the lungs usually requires surgical intervention to close it.
- Pleurodesis: This treatment involves putting a drug into the pleural space to cause the outer surface of the lung to adhere to the chest wall and thus close the pleural space. This can be effective when treating recurrent pleural effusion, pneumothorax or persistent pneumothorax.
- Thoracoscopic pleurodesis: This is when a thoracoscope is used to give the surgeon a clear image of the pleurodesis procedure and also to cause uniform pleurodesis.
- PleurX: This is another drainage procedure. It uses a PleurX drainage catheter one end of which is inserted into the pleural space. That end has several holes to enable the accumulated fluid to drain out more easily. The other end has a one-way valve to allow fluid to exit but which prevents air from entering the tube and so into the pleural space. This is inserted by us when cancers are advanced or effusions recurrent (advanced heart failure, cirrhosis).
- Adhesiolysis: Pleural bacterial infection leads to scarring in areas of the pleural space, preventing efficient movement of the lung. Adhesiolysis is the surgical removal of these unwanted scar tissue and helps in good drainage of pleural space and lung capacity.
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) decortication: This is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a thoracoscope to view the problem area. Special tiny surgical instruments are also inserted through the small incision. The surgeon uses video images and the special instruments to perform extensive adhesiolysis.
These and other world-class treatment protocols and surgeries are available to patients at the Kauvery Lung Center. The treatment of pleural diseases at the Centre is not only dependent on the use of the latest technology by highly qualified specialists. The specialists here have also done extensive original research into the causes, nature and treatments of pleural diseases and this ensures that patients receive diagnosis and treatment that is of international standards.
If you are suspected of having a pleural disease or have been diagnosed with one, it is a matter that requires urgent and specialized treatment of the highest standard. The Kauvery Lung Centre is where you will find it and from where your recovery will begin.