PULMONOLOGY

Advanced Lung Care for Eastern Kentucky

Pulmonology is branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system. This field encompasses a wide range of chronic and acute conditions involving the body’s airways, chest wall and breathing regulation systems. The physicians who specialize in this type of lung and respiratory care are called pulmonologists.

At Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), we have an expert team of board-certified pulmonologists dedicated to helping patients throughout Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia breathe easier and live better through the latest advancements in lung care.

Conditions that PMC Pulmonologists Diagnose and Treat

PMC Pulmonologists diagnose and are involved in the management and treatment, either directly or in collaboration with other specialists, for conditions that may include:

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• COVID-19 – Severe Cases
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Interstitial Lung Disease
• Lung Cancer
• Occupational Lung Diseases (e.g., asbestosis, silicosis)
• Pleurisy and Pleural Effusion
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Respiratory Infections (e.g., fungal infections, viral infections)
• Sarcoidosis
• Sleep Apnea
• Tuberculosis

In the treatment of these conditions, the PMC Pulmonology team collaborates closely with a variety of other PMC specialists, including Lawson Cancer Center Oncologists, Sleep Medicine physicians, infectious disease physicians, critical care ICU specialists, and others, to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care tailored to their specific medical needs.

PMC Pulmonary Testing & Procedural Capabilities

Pikeville Medical Center offers the latest advancements in pulmonary care with tests and procedures that include the following:

• Advanced Imaging Studies
• Bronchoscopy
• Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB)
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

 PMC Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pikeville Medical Center also provides patients with pulmonary rehabilitation, an exercise and educational program designed to reduce symptoms like shortness of breath, increase exercise tolerance, improve daily functioning, and enhance the overall well-being of individuals with chronic lung conditions. It is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and those recovering from lung surgery or lung transplants.

Pulmonary rehab classes meet two to three days a week for six to ten weeks and last approximately 60-90 minutes.

Accepting New Patients
The Pikeville Medical Center Pulmonology team welcomes new patients by physician referral. Patients may also self-refer by calling the PMC Pulmonology Clinic directly for an appointment.

PMC Clinic Building, 8th Floor
911 Bypass Road, Building A
Pikeville, KY 41501
(606) 430-2208

Pikeville Medical Center’s (PMC) Pulmonary Clinic now offers patients superDimension iLogic Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB). This new system is used to easily diagnose and plan the best treatment for lesions (spots or abnormal growths) found in the lung.

PMC is the only hospital in the region to provide this technology.

ENB uses a minimally invasive, navigation device similar to a global positioning system (GPS) to locate and biopsy spots found in the deepest parts of the lung.

This outpatient procedure takes around 60 minutes to complete from start to finish, and patients are typically able to leave the hospital within two hours after surgery.

Prior to ENB, the only way to get a biopsy from a spot on the lung was through major surgery accompanied by high patient risk.

If the individual was not a good candidate for surgery, waiting and closely monitoring the spot for growth was the patient’s only option.

If a biopsy comes back positive, PMC’s Pulmonologists work together with the hospital’s thoracic surgeons and oncologists to care for the patient.

For more information about pulmonary services offered at Pikeville Medical Center, call 606-430-2208.

Other services offered include:

• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Respiratory Therapy
• Smoking Cessation Support
• Black Lung Clinic

In addition to the innovative, advanced services offered, it is important to note that our physicians have access to some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment to be found anywhere including state-of-the-art CT scanners, the Espree MRI (1.5T) as well as the Verio MRI (3.0T) and digital X-rays. Scans are available to physicians via our PACS system from almost anywhere.