ERS Assembly 14: Clinical techniques, imaging and endoscopy

Group 14.01
Chair: Mohammed Munavvar
Secretary: Peter I. Bonta

This Group covers the following procedures:

• Bronchoscopy (flexible and rigid instruments).
• Diagnostic procedures ranging from simple bronchial wash to transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), autofluorescence (AF) and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS); therapeutic procedures include foreign body removal, airway dilatation, laser, electrocautery, argon beamer, cryotherapy, brachytherapy, photodynamic therapy and stenting.
• Pleural biopsy/transthoracic needle aspiration of lung: cytology, histology and culture.
• Thoracoscopy: investigation of pleural disease and peripheral pulmonary lesions, drainage of pleural effusions including empyema, pleurodesis with sealants, such as talc for pneumothorax and malignant effusions.
• Tracheostomy: classic and percutaneous, mini-tracheostomy, and tracheal oxygen catheters.

Our Group is very active in establishing guidelines, performing surveys and developing cutting-edge technology for the detection of early lung cancer.

Group 14.02
Chair: Ádám Domonkos Tárnoki
Secretary: Helmut Prosch

This is a small but dynamic Group which includes thoracic radiologists, pulmologists and specialists in nuclear medicine. We organise many activities within the ERS: postgraduate courses, lectures and grand rounds. One of our central aims is to promote co-operation with other ERS Groups.

In recent years, this has resulted in joint interdisciplinary activities at the International Congress, notably in the fields of occupational lung disease and oncology. One of the highlights of every ERS Congress is the radiology grand round, which is organised by our Group.

Group 14.03
Chair: Christian B.Laursen
Secretary: Michiel J. Thomeer