Brian Jeffrey
During a conference held on June 8 about bronchoscopy methods for diagnosing and treating respiratory conditions, hosted by Phuong Dong General Hospital, specialists highlighted the rapidly growing issue of respiratory illnesses in Vietnam.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranks as the third most prevalent cause of mortality worldwide. Within Vietnam, the occurrence is at 10.3 percent, marking the highest rate in the Asia-Pacific area. Preventive treatments for COPD are largely included under health insurance plans, but for those without coverage, the monthly cost can reach approximately VND 1.5 million. If complications arise, treatment expenses can surge by up to 13 times, surpassing VND 200 million annually.
Lung cancer sees over 24,000 new diagnoses annually, making it the third most common cancer in the country and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Concurrently, bronchial asthma affects around 3.9 percent of the Vietnamese populace, roughly equating to 4 million individuals, leading to about 3,000 to 4,000 fatalities each year.
Associate Professor Tran Van Ngoc, who chairs the HCM City Respiratory Association, indicated that bronchoscopy is ushering in a transformative approach for diagnosing and treating respiratory ailments. This technique is extensively utilized for conditions such as cancer, COPD, and severe cases of asthma. In instances where asthma is challenging to manage, endoscopy can assist in ablating parasympathetic nerves, alleviating bronchial spasms.
“Bronchoscopy is contraindicated mainly for those on anticoagulants, recovering from a heart attack, or experiencing respiratory failure,” Ngoc elaborated.
This procedure not only helps in distinguishing between benign and malignant growths but also enables laser treatment for lung tumors, the installation of tracheal stents, and alleviation of airway blockages. Advanced technologies, like endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and software for locating peripheral lesions, are enhancing precision and minimizing complications during biopsy procedures.
In Vietnam, EBUS-TBNA (transbronchial needle aspiration assisted by ultrasound) represents a cutting-edge, minimally invasive technique for sampling peribronchial masses with real-time guidance, regarded as the “gold standard” for diagnosing mediastinal tumors and lymph nodes, which used to require more invasive surgical methods.
Dr. Dinh Van Luong, the Director of the National Lung Hospital, stated that bronchoscopy plays a crucial role during the entire timeline of diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring following lung transplants. The facility has successfully conducted seven lung transplants, employing daily post-operative bronchoscopy to evaluate lesions, track airway status, and gather microbiological samples to mitigate infection risks.
Artificial intelligence is being integrated to analyze bronchoscopy images, facilitating the early identification of irregularities and aiding in the accurate diagnosis of lung cancer and rare conditions. The advancements in bronchoscopy are projected to continue being essential for the effective management and treatment of respiratory diseases in Vietnam.
