> Breathing Room continued
A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine .
In 2003 , Scott & White ’ s leadership saw the need to develop an interventional pulmonology program , championed by Dr . deKeratry , who had just completed his multinational interventional fellowship training . With the support of the Pulmonary Division at Scott & White , he procured new interventional technology and trained respiratory therapists , nurses , pulmonary fellows and clinical staff .
In order to accommodate the increased number of patients diagnosed with advanced airways and pleural ( lining of the lung ) disease , Scott & White began to develop an interventional pulmonary center of excellence . It is one of only a few offered in the United States with the kind of expertise and technology that can help patients like Ms . Birdwell . The team diagnoses and treats patients with conditions such as airway and lung tumors , emphysema and complicated pleural diseases .
“ The technology in our field has changed so much ,” says Dr . deKeratry . “ Our diagnoses used to be based on basic static imaging . Now we incorporate such high-end technologies as real-time bedside ultrasound , video streaming and virtual bronchoscopy which give us threedimensional perspectives ,” he says . “ We are proud to say that the range of conditions we are able to diagnose and treat is unmatched elsewhere in Texas or the Southwest .”
One unique area of advancement is
Caren Birdwell surrounded by her son , Blake ( left ), and husband , George .
electromagnetic navigation used in bronchoscopy procedures . This is a highly specialized multi-modality procedure that allows interventional pulmonologists to biopsy previously inaccessible lung nodules . It may detect early forms of lung cancer in a minimally invasive way .
“ This increases our diagnostic capabilities so that we can provide the best treatment possible for patients ,” says Esther Fields , DO , Interventional Pulmonary / Critical Care at Scott & White Healthcare . She is also an assistant professor of Internal Medicine , Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine .
Dr . deKeratry ’ s team also works with other specialists at Scott & White , such as thoracic surgeons , medical and radiation oncologists , pathologists , radiologists and others who collaborate to offer the best care possible . The team can meet almost any patient ’ s needs , in the most comfortable yet technologically advanced ways . “ We are proud of our team ’ s ability to take care of patients ’ pulmonology needs , no matter how complicated they may be .” says Dr . deKeratry .
A Second Chance When Dr . deKeratry evaluated Ms . Birdwell , he found her trachea so constricted it was approximately the diameter of a drinking straw , about 80 percent smaller than a normal trachea . He quickly developed a treatment plan that included getting rid of scar tissue that had built up in her trachea , caused by the multiple intubations and previous procedures . He then placed a large silicone stent in her main airways , to maintain patency . The stent was taken out a year later , in May 2008 , because the trachea had expanded to a normal diameter , allowing her to breathe normally .
“ I can do anything I want ,” says Ms . Birdwell . “ To think that just a year ago it took everything I had to get across the room , without much hope for improvement , and now I have returned full time to managing our family business , getting ready for my 30th wedding anniversary and enjoying life once again .”
More Care and Lung Cancer Screening Programs Needed
Dr . deKeratry and Dr . Fields are influenced by grateful patients who come from all over Texas and surrounding states . “ Need
6 THE CATALYST Winter 09