Pulmonary, Allergy and Asthma


Services

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Allergy
We offer evaluation and management services for a variety of allergic conditions including allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, perennial non-allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis, drug, food and venom allergy and immunodeficiencies. Special services include skin testing, allergy immunotherapy and intravenous gamma globulin therapy. Drug desensitization in an ICU setting is performed when necessary.

Amyloid
The Amyloid Treatment and Research Program is dedicated to the evaluation and care of patients with all forms of localized and systemic amyloidoses. The Amyloid Program is also a leader in molecular, cellular, and biophysical investigations of protein misfolding and amyloid fibril formation.

Founded in 1960, the Amyloid Clinic functions as a multidisciplinary team of clinicians from Nephrology, Neurology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Hematology, Gastroenterology, and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine. Over 300 patients from around the world annually undergo a 3-day evaluation through the Amyloid Clinic. The purpose of this exhaustive diagnostic work-up is to clarify and define disease phenotypes so that a rational and effective treatment plan can be developed.

Asthma
We offer a comprehensive asthma and allergy evaluation for patients with new onset or chronic severe asthma to assess potential triggers and to optimize asthma therapy. This includes investigation of asthma triggers such as environmental allergens in the home or workplace, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis. Allergy skin testing and pulmonary function testing are a part of most evaluations. For patients with chronic severe asthma, we provide ongoing management directed at improving quality of life and reducing the frequency of asthma exacerbations. In addition to routine allergy immunotherapy, we offer anti-IgE therapy. Our services also include education and treatment plans for women with asthma who are anticipating pregnancy or who are pregnant. Asthma specialists are available to our patients by beeper 24 hours a day.

COPD
We offer a multidisciplinary program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), providing a combination of ongoing medical management, opportunity to enroll in clinical trials and evaluation for lung reduction surgery or lung transplantation. We educate patients with COPD and their families about the illness and teach appropriate aspects of respiratory care, including inhaler use, oxygen therapy and equipment use, energy conservation and nutrition.

General Pulmonary Care and Diagnostic Services
We offer consultation and treatment for patients with general pulmonary conditions such as cough, dyspnea, lung nodules, recurrent pneumonia and obstructive sleep apnea. We are equipped with the most advanced technology for pulmonary function testing, lung biopsies, CT and PET scans and MRIs.

HIV/AIDS
Pulmonary complications are exceedingly common among patients infected with HIV. Moreover, the longer life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals has led to the recognition of many infectious and non-infectious pulmonary complications, including the well-established association between HIV and pulmonary hypertension (HIV-PH). In this center, we are the referral group for all HIV providers within Boston Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of the pulmonary and mycobacterial complications that occur in HIV-infected individuals.

Interventional Bronchosopy
The Interventional Bronchoscopy program at Boston Medical Center is dedicated to the care of patients with complex airway disease including obstructing cancers, broncholiths, relapsing polychondritis, tracheoesophageal fistulae, tracheobronchial and laryngeal amyloidosis, papillomatosis, tracheal stenoses, and tracheomalacia.

Pulmonary and Exercise Physiology
The Pulmonary Physiology service provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art assessment of respiratory mechanics and function. Our goal is to assist the clinician in the diagnosis and prognosis of all forms of pulmonary-related diseases and to assist the clinical investigator in the pursuit of understanding and defining pulmonary disease through research.

Pulmonary Hypertension
The Pulmonary Hypertension Center provides special expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with primary and secondary forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our pulmonary hypertension specialists are dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients with pulmonary hypertension through individualized management and use of the most advanced medications, including medications that are only available through clinical trials.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Radius Specialty Hospital-Boston represents the new frontier in the Long-term Acute Care (LTAC) rehabilitation environment previously forged by the Jewish Memorial Hospital and Rehabilitation center (JMHRC). JMHRC provided 75 years of continuous service and expertise in treating medically complex adult patients. Optimizing patient independence in daily activities and social functions with the primary goal of a successful return to the community is the major focus of this hospital.

Pulmonary and Ventilator Rehabilitation at Radius Specialty Hospital - Boston provides individualized assessment and medical treatment to enable recovery from a variety of acute injuries. It also provides progressive rehabilitation and emotional support for patients requiring long term mechanical ventilation.

Sarcoidosis and Interstitial Lung Disease
Several physicians specialize in the diagnosis and management of sarcoidosis and interstitial lung disease. We work collaboratively with other specialists at Boston Medical Center to provide comprehensive treatment for the many manifestations of sarcoidosis, including the heart, skin and central nervous system. We work closely with radiology, thoracic surgery and pathology to provide the most accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. Individual management plans are based on the most current research and the experience of our physicians.

Scleroderma
The Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis) Center at The Boston Medical Center (Boston University School of Medicine) is a collaboration of the Pulmonary and Rheumatology Departments. The Center is recognized Internationally as a leader in scleroderma, and provides for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Systemic Sclerosis. The Center is closely linked to National Institute of Health and Industry sponsored clinical, translational and basic research, including the Scleroderma Lung Study (SLS), a collaboration of 14 clinical scleroderma centers in the United States. Our goal is to provide patients with systemic sclerosis state-of-the-art patient care and the opportunity to participate in advanced therapeutic research which both improves patient quality of life and provides for a basis for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease.

Sleep Medicine
The goal of the Sleep Disorders Center is to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for the full range of sleep disorders, to provide education in the practice of sleep medicine and to conduct research in the area of sleep disorders.

Thoracic Oncology Clinic
The Center for Thoracic Oncology is committed to providing the finest and most advanced treatment for patients with thoracic cancer. We offer advanced, comprehensive oncology services while being sensitive to the emotional needs of patients and their families. Experienced specialists from all thoracic oncology disciplines (pulmonary, thoracic surgery, oncology and radiation therapy) join together in our center to participate in offering state-of-the-art treatment to all patients.

Tuberculosis
Our Tuberculosis Clinical Research Group is engaged in multi-center consortium studies, investigator-initiated local research studies, and educational efforts locally, regionally and nationally. Our center has been very active within the Centers for Disease Control's Tuberculosis Trials Consortium (TBTC), actively enrolling patients in both latent and active TB treatment trials.

Special Services

Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)
Our respiratory therapists and pulmonologists together perform CPETs to evaluate patients with unexplained shortness of breath, determine suitability for cardiothoracic surgery, test athletes for aerobic fitness (VO2max, anaerobic threshold, etc), and participate in ongoing interdepartmental clinical research studies.

Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
Our pulmonary physicians have vast experience in fiberoptic bronchoscopy for diagnosing lung diseases.

Lung and Pleural Biopsies
Our pulmonary physicians work with interventional radiologists, thoracic oncologists, and thoracic surgeons to diagnose and treat interstitial lung diseases, infections, and malignancies.

The Pulmonary Function Laboratory
The Pulmonary Physiology service is staffed by board-certified allergists and pulmonologists. Respiratory therapists specialize in providing accurate measurements of lung volumes, spirometry, and diffusing capacity and evaluating patients for oxygen home care requirements.

Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy
Our Pulmonary Hypertension Center, directed by Dr. Harrison Farber, is one of the few centers in the U.S. to offer this procedure for the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

For more information on these services, please click here.