DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A new lung biopsy procedure option is now available at Decatur Memorial Hospital through a partnership with Memorial Specialty Care Pulmonology.
DMH said the procedure, called robotic bronchoscopy, is a state-of-the-art technology that allows biopsy to be performed on areas deep within the lungs that traditional screening methods cannot reach. A catheter is guided into the lungs to collect very small samples of tissue, giving the physician more options for diagnosis while helping patients experience less discomfort.
"Bringing robotic bronchoscopy to DMH means our patients no longer have to leave the community to receive this level of advance diagnostic care," Memorial Health System Administrator for Specialty Services Kimberly Paskiewicz said. "It's incredibly meaningful to offer such innovative technology right here at home, where patients feel supported and surrounded by their own care teams."
Patients can be referred for the screening by their primary care physicians or pulmonologists. The procedure is intended for patients who have, or are suspected of having, lung nodules that require biopsy.
"What I'm most excited about in adding a robotic bronchoscopy system here at DMH is that it will augment things we already do, including our robust lung cancer screening initiative and collaborative relationships with local cancer specialists," Pulmonologist Dr. Patrick Sylvester said.
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