Interventional pulmonology for the general physician

Dr Claire Harris, from an interventional pulmonology team, gives an overview of recent developments that general physicians should know about when referring patients. She covers navigational bronchoscopy for lung nodules in the context of CT screening, rigid bronchoscopy and stenting for central airway obstruction and stridor, endobronchial valves for emphysema and persistent air leak, and the move towards ambulatory, symptom-based pneumothorax management. She also summarises updated pleural practice, including ultrasound-guided procedures, pleural infection guidance with intrapleural fibrinolytics, and one-stage management of malignant effusions with talc, indwelling pleural catheters or medical thoracoscopy.