[Present status of interventional pulmonology]

Endobronchial intervention has been well established in therapeutic and palliative methods for patients with malignant and benign airway obstruction. Central airway tumor obstruction could lead to significant dyspnea or hemoptysis and dramatically lower the quality of life. Such symptoms can be relieved immediately via bronchoscopic intervention. Endobronchial therapies such as neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet( Nd:YAG) laser therapy, argon plasma coagulation and microwave coagulation or stent placement are well-established treatment options. Each of these modalities has its specific advantages and disadvantages. Laser therapy is direct thermal ablation applied to endobronchial tumors. It has sufficient power to vaporize tissues and produces an excellent coagulation effect. However, the risk of perforation is high. On the other hand, photodynamic therapy has the curative potential for patients with early superficial lung cancer using low power laser. Moreover, it has recently been approved for the treatment of other cancers including advanced lung cancer. Stent placement is an effective treatment to re-establish airway patency and immediately relieve the patient from life-threatening dyspnea. Stent restenosis, migration, mucus plug and hemoptysis are common short-term and longterm problems. It is important to select the appropriate treatment method for each patient to avoid complications and achieve successful results.