03/04/2024
The South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen is leading the way as the first hospital site in Northern Ireland to offer Radial probe Endobronchial Ultrasound.
Led by Professor Terence McManus, Respiratory Physician at the Western Trust, the procedure uses a flexible catheter housing a rotating ultrasound transducer which produces a 360 degree ultrasound image of the lung.
Professor McManus recently gave a presentation to fellow colleagues at the Ulster Thoracic Society meeting which took place in Fermanagh on the technique used. Professor McManus said:
“We are delighted to be the first hospital in Northern Ireland to offer this procedure. This is a safe technique providing us with another modality to achieve a diagnosis in patients with conditions such as lung cancer.”
Professor McManus continued:
“This allows doctors to locate and sample lung lesions such as cancers that are in difficult to access areas. The service has recently been developed and initial feedback from patients has been very positive. Our patients appreciate this new procedure is being delivered in their locality.”