Caring for Adults and Children with Chronic and Acute Conditions
Health City Cayman Islands offers high quality, affordable pulmonary treatment plans designed to help patients breathe easier and achieve an enhanced quality of life. Our pulmonary specialists are committed to diagnosing and treating a wide range of chronic and acute pulmonary conditions, from bronchitis to COPD, using the latest diagnostic technology. We offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs including pulmonology clinics for the treatment of a wide range of conditions such as asthma and smoking cessation. We also offer a bronchoscopy service, conduct biopsies and pulmonary function testing, and have a state-of-the-art sleep lab to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.
Latest Advancements in Pulmonary Medicine
From sophisticated pulmonary function testing and diagnostic bronchoscopy, to therapeutic pleurocentesis and fine need aspiration, Health City Cayman Islands offers a comprehensive suite of pulmonology medical services that reflect the latest advancements in pulmonary medicine.
Advanced lung function testing and diagnostics enable our pulmonologists to develop effective, integrated treatment plans to meet a variety of pulmonary and critical care needs. At Health City Cayman Islands we treat diseases affecting the respiratory system, including:
- Bronchial asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic cough
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pulmonary emphysema
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary sarcoidosis
- Respiratory insufficiency
- Tobacco addiction
- Tuberculosis
The Pulmonology Unit’s bronchoscopy service allows our team of specialists to observe abnormalities in the respiratory tract by means of a bronchoscope, an endoscopic tube with a camera at the end. This is done following the detection of abnormalities seen on CT scans or chest x-rays.
Types of Diagnostic Testing:
Bronchoscopy
This is an endoscopic technique for visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including suspected bronchopulmonary tumours, lymph node tumours, metastatic tumours and / or infectious conditions, such as severe pneumonia, bronchial secretions or suspected tuberculosis. Under local anaesthetic and sedation, the bronchoscope is inserted into the airways, usually through the nasal passage or mouth, and an exploration of the upper and lower airway is carried out.
Biopsy
Our Pulmonology Unit analyses and treats lung or pleural tissues for the diagnosis of cancer or severe infections through biopsies, following an abnormality observed on a CT scan or chest X-ray. A pulmonary biopsy can be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in the hospital. Biopsies are done under local anaesthetic to numb the area, via the chest wall or transbronchial, depending on the disease that is being analysed.
Thoracentesis
This test is performed to extract pleural fluid for diagnosis and treatment. The pleural space is a small space between the two layers of a thin lining separating the lung from the chest wall (pleura). Under local anaesthetic, a fine needle is inserted through the skin to collect the fluid, which is then sent to our laboratory for analysis.
Spirometry
This is a quick and painless test carried out using an instrument that measures the amount of air the lungs can hold and the rate of inhalation and exhalation during breathing. Spirometry assesses and monitors bronchial function, essential for the diagnosis of diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD.
Pulmonary function testing (spirometry with flow volume loops and bronchodilator reversibility and / or maximal voluntary ventilation)
Spirometry: is the most common type of pulmonary function test, measuring the amount and / or speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled by the lungs. Spirometry is an important tool used for assessing and treating asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD.
Bronchodilator: This is a substance that dilates the lungs, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow. Bronchodilators are commonly prescribed medications for treating breathing difficulties including asthma and COPD. They are also used in pulmonary function testing to assess lung volume.
Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV): This is a test used to determine the volume of air expired from the lungs in a specified period during repetitive maximal effort.
Diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy with or without endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy, bronchial brushing, bronchial lavage and transbronchial needle
The Pulmonology Unit’s bronchoscopy service allows our team of specialists to observe abnormalities in the respiratory tract by means of a bronchoscope, an endoscopic tube with a camera at the end. This is done following the detection of abnormalities by diagnostic CT scan or chest x-ray.
Advanced Bronchoscopy
This is a secondary test performed when you require a diagnosis via biopsy, due to suspected bronchopulmonary tumours, lymph node tumours, metastatic tumours and / or infectious conditions, such as severe pneumonia, bronchial secretions, or suspected tuberculosis. Bronchoscopy is performed under local anaesthetic and sedation to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible. Once sedated, the bronchoscope is inserted via the nasal passage or mouth and an exploration of the upper and lower airway is carried out. The test takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the condition and symptoms. After the procedure is completed, the patient will stay for several hours at our facility until he or she has recovered sufficiently. Occasionally, patients may be required to remain in the hospital for observation.
Pulmonary Care Services:
Aspiration
Pulmonary aspiration is the entry of food, liquid, or stomach contents into the voice box or the lower respiratory tract. When pulmonary aspiration occurs during eating and drinking, it is often referred to as “going down the wrong pipe.” People with significant underlying disease or injury, especially hospitalized patients, are at greater risk of developing respiratory complications following pulmonary aspiration because they may be sedated, under general anaesthesia, intubated, in a coma, or suffering from a drug overdose. Normal reflexes such as coughing or swallowing cannot occur to protect the lungs. In such cases, expert clinicians need to quickly remove the material blocking the airways.
Diagnostic and therapeutic pleurocentesis (tapping of pleural fluid)
Also known as thoracentesis, this test is performed to extract pleural fluid for diagnosis and treatment. The pleural space is a small space between the two layers of a thin lining separating the lung from the chest wall (pleura). The pleural space normally contains a small quantity of lubricating and nourishing liquid called pleural fluid. In certain diseases and infections, fluid collects in the plural space and thoracentesis is performed to drain it. Under local anaesthetic, a fine needle is inserted through the skin to collect the fluid, which is then sent to our laboratory for analysis. An intercostal drain may be inserted for drainage of large fluid collections or air collected in the pleural space.
Pleurodesis (requires hospital admission)
The pleural space is a small space between the two layers of a thin lining separating the lung from the chest wall (pleura). The pleural space normally contains a small quantity of lubricating and nourishing liquid called pleural fluid. In certain diseases and infections, fluid collects in the pleural space and pleurodesis is performed to drain the liquid, and close the space to prevent further fluid accumulation. This procedure is considered the best palliative treatment for easing patient symptoms and discomfort.
Intercostal drain insertion (requires hospital admission)
An intercostal drain, also known as a chest tube, is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the chest wall and into the pleural space, the small space between the two layers of a thin lining separating the lung from the chest wall (pleura). It is used to remove air, fluid, or pus (empyema) from the intrathoracic space. A chest tube is usually inserted under local anaesthetic.
Transcutaneous fine needle aspiration/Tru-Cut lung biopsies (of peripheral lung mass) under CT or ultrasound guidance
Tru-Cut® biopsy needles allow surgeons to manually obtain high-quality tissue samples with minimal trauma to the patient. In cases where other types of biopsies cannot be obtained or other diagnostic imaging does not work, fine needle aspiration is sued to obtain an important tissue sample for diagnosis. Guided by CT scan or ultrasound, the surgeon locates the mass in question, and manually inserts a fine needle to obtain the biopsy.
Other Diagnostic Services
Health City Cayman Islands also offers the following testing essential for the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases:
- Exercise challenge testing for exercise induced bronchial constriction
- Six-minute walk test
- Psychomotor vigilance
- Pulmonology clinics
Additionally, Health City Cayman Islands operates the following specialized pulmonology clinics:
- Asthma
- COPD
- Lung Cancer
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS)
- Smoking Cessation
