Interventional Pulmonology

The University of Cincinnati Interventional Pulmonology (IP) Service is one of the 40 fellowship programs recognized by the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP). It started in 2010 under the leadership and vision of Dr. Sadia Benzaquen, MD.

There has been significant growth and innovation within the UC program with three attending physicians (Christopher Cates, MD, Patrick Kosciuk, MD, and Chris Radchenko, MD) and two nurse practitioners (Sarah Kennedy-Smith, CNP and Geneva Meyers, CNP) helping to serve our greater community. We also train an IP fellow on a yearly basis and have the UC pulmonary and critical care fellows rotate with our service.

The IP service at UC is the only service in the Greater Cincinnati area with multiple attendings who have had formal AABIP fellowship training as well as certification as diplomats of the AABIP. As such, we offer the most advanced and innovative procedures for management of benign and malignant airway pathology (rigid bronchoscopy with mechanical/laser tumor destruction and stent placement including custom 3D printed silicone and metallic stents), pleural disease (medical thoracoscopy with parietal pleural biopsies and talc poudrage, pleurX catheter placement with ongoing follow-up), lung volume reduction for severe emphysema (utilizing both Zephyr and Spiration valves), minimally invasive biopsies to ascertain interstitial lung disease (cryobiopsy), bronchoscopic treatment of asthma (bronchial thermoplasty), endobronchial interventions with curative intent of airway cancers (photodynamic therapy and ablative technologies), and lung nodule evaluations (Ion robotic bronchoscopy with CIOS 3D reconstructions during sampling, EBUS). We also evaluate and treat airway diseases such as tracheal and bronchial stenosis and tracheobronchomalacia (EDAC) with our multidisciplinary collaboration with ENT and thoracic surgery including stent trials.

Research in Interventional Pulmonology is a major area of interest. Our current clinical trials include RejuvenAir Metered Cryospray (SPRAY-CB) for chronic bronchitis in the setting of COPD and Veracyte Nightingale for risk assessment of lung cancer through nasal swab. We have a strong interest in transbronchial lung cryobiopsies for the diagnosis of undifferentiated interstitial lung disease in the outpatient and ICU setting as well as bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for optimization of patient outcomes.

The IP service provides a comprehensive workup for a large variety of pulmonary problems:

• We play a pivotal role in the lung cancer screening and lung nodule program at UC along with Radiology, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Thoracic Surgery.
• We are one of the highest volume centers in the region in bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for advanced emphysema.
• We have a collaborative working relationship with the departments of Thoracic Surgery, ENT and Anesthesiology at UC Medical Center.
• We are a top academic medical center of excellence for transbronchial lung cryobiopsy, robotic navigational bronchoscopy, and endobronchial valve placement based on our patient volume.
• We utilize EPIC Chart System and have the MyChart portal available for patient use.

Appointments are available at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) Main Campus and West Chester Hospital (WCH) by calling 513-475-8000 and specifying which location you would like to be seen at.

For UCMC: Barrett Center (2nd Floor, Suite E)

For WCH: Physicians Office Building South (2nd Floor, Suite 211)

UCMC at Barrett Center: 3151 Bellevue Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Appointments are available Monday and Tuesday mornings and afternoons.

West Chester Hospital at Physicians Office South Building: 7675 Wellness Way, West Chester Township, OH 45069

Appointments are available Thursday afternoons.