Overview of services offered in Pneumology

Treatment of pulmonary and bronchial diseases

  • Tumors of the thoracic organs (bronchi, lungs, pleura)
  • Allergic pulmonary diseases and autoimmune diseases
  • Interstitial pulmonary diseases
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD
  • Emphysema
  • Bronchiectasia
  • Sarcoidosis (Boeck’s disease)
  • Long-term oxygen therapy (initiation and follow-up)
  • Home ventilation
  • Inhalation training
  • In cooperation with the in-house Therapy Center: inhalation therapy, respiratory exercises

Pulmonary function examination techniques

Pulmonary function testing (spirometry, pneumotachometry, whole-body plethysmography, CO diffusion)

Respiratory parameters are measured to examine pulmonary function and are also tested when investigating specific conditions. These measures allow a precise assessment of the severity of a disease while also making it possible to test the response to a variety of drugs.


Bronchial challenge testing

Bronchial challenge testing is performed to diagnose a hidden, changing bronchospasm (bronchial hyperresponsiveness) by using a neurotransmitter in increasing concentration. This permits early detection of incipient asthmatic reactions. It is also commonly performed to investigate dry cough of unknown causation.


Oximetry (acid-base homeostasis)

The oxygen level in the blood can be measured in the earlobe or by puncturing an artery. A few drops of blood suffice to make an accurate assessment of the actual oxygen level in the blood in order to detect a possible oxygen deficiency. The acid level in the blood and the carbonic acid level are determined at the same time to provide a complete picture of respiratory efficiency.


Stress testing

Stress testing is employed to determine essential respiratory parameters, such as absorption of oxygen and release of carbonic acid, during stress and especially during maximum stress. This provides conclusive data on the condition of a patient’s cardiovascular and respiratory function.


Allergy testing

Exploratory skin tests using various allergens are employed to determine allergic responsiveness. Based on these tests, appropriate further blood examinations are then initiated.


Bronchoscopy incl. sampling (e.g. bacteriology, cytology, histology)

The larynx, trachea and bronchi are visualized and samples may be taken under local or short general anesthesia. This technique is also utilised in intensive care and emergency medicine to perform critical procedures such as suctioning fluid or removing foreign objects.


Autofluorescence bronchoscopy for early tumourtumor detection

Bronchoscopy (visualization of bronchi) employs what is referred to as fluorescence diagnostics for early tumor detection. A wavelength of light is used to stimulate a tissue’s natural fluorescence, which means it lights up in color after having been exposed to light of a different color. Since healthy and tumor tissue respond differently to the emitted light, the physician can make a clear distinction between healthy and diseased tissue. Stimulation through the emission of blue light makes diseased tissue appear red and healthy tissue green. This difference in color is based on the different texture of the two tissue types. The advantage of this diagnostic technique is that the difference in color is easier to see for the human eye so that the edge of the tumor can also be distinguished more accurately from healthy tissue. Since fluorescence diagnostics avoids administering any chemical substances and instead uses only a change in light sources, it is completely safe for patients.


Bronchoscopic tumourtumor treatment/tumourtumor removal (interventional bronchoscopy) using a plasma beam

Tumor growth within the central bronchi can be treated locally by bronchoscopic tumor removal. This type of bronchoscopy employs an argon plasma beam that is generated on the tumor surface to coagulate the endoluminal portion of the tumor so that it can be removed without hemohemorrhage. In the case of tumor compression (external pressure on the bronchus), there are also stents available that can be implanted to support the bronchial wall and thereby restore airflow and drainage of secretions.


Internal Intensive Care Medicine

Treatment options in Internal Intensive Care Medicine

  • Treatment of acute respiratory failure in connection with pulmonary diseases such as severe exacerbation of asthma and COPD, treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in adults (ARDS/ALI) in connection with sepsis and SIRS
  • Mask ventilation (non-invasive ventilation)
  • Long-term ventilation for patients with chronic pulmonary diseases as well as initiation of home ventilation (according to the pulmonary focus)
  • Endoscopic tracheostomy for long-term ventilation
  • Endoscopic tracheal and bronchial hygiene and flushing (therapeutic lavage)
  • Pneumothorax treatment
  • Temporary pacemaker implantation to treat severe bradycardia (high-degree AV block)