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Dr. Thomas Sibert, MD is a pulmonologist in GALLIPOLIS, OH specializing in adult pulmonology. He graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2017 and has 9 years of experience. Dr. Thomas Sibert, MD is affiliated with Holzer Health System and HOLZER CLINIC LLC.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.
In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:
For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).
Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.
During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.
Dr. Thomas Sibert, MD graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine in 2017. He completed residency at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine and has a state license in Ohio.
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine (2017)
Residency: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine
Licensed In: Ohio
Dr. Thomas Sibert, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Thomas Sibert, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 154 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Thomas Sibert, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in GALLIPOLIS, OH.
Dr. Thomas Sibert is a specialist in adult pulmonology in Gallipolis, OH. Dr. Sibert is rated 5.0 stars (out of 5) by his patients. His practice in GALLIPOLIS, OH is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com. He studied medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine.
