Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center at CHAM
Expert care for children with complex airway and lung conditions
About the Program
At the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM), the Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center provides advanced diagnostic and interventional procedures to help children with breathing, airway, and lung concerns. Our Pediatric Pulmonology team combines expertise, innovative technology, and a family-centered approach to deliver safe, compassionate, and comprehensive care.
What Is Pediatric Bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which doctors look directly inside a child’s airways and lungs using a thin, flexible tube with a camera; a tool that helps identify the cause of breathing problems and allows for specialized treatments to be implemented.
At CHAM, our team performs both diagnostic and interventional bronchoscopies using state-of-the-art technologies.
Conditions We Treat
Children may benefit from bronchoscopy if they have:
Airway and Breathing Concerns:
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- Persistent or recurrent pneumonia
- Asthma or wheezing refractory to standard therapies
- Noisy breathing (stridor) or airway narrowing
- Airway malformations (congenital or acquired)
- Aspiration
- Airway trauma and inhalational injuries
- Abnormal chest imaging (X-ray or CT findings)
- Interstitial lung disease
- Evaluation before or after lung transplantation
Procedures Requiring Interventional Bronchoscopy:
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- Removal of airway obstructions or foreign bodies
- Endobronchial biopsies (airway wall tissue sampling)
- Fluoroscopy-guided transbronchial lung biopsies (peripheral lung tissue sampling)
- Cryosurgical procedures for biopsies or foreign body extraction
- Airway stent placement or dilation
- Airway valve placement
State-of-the-Art Technologies
Our program uses the latest pediatric bronchoscopy technology to ensure the safest and most effective care.
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- High-resolution flexible bronchoscopes for different pediatric age groups
- Specialized instruments designed for pediatric airways
- Fluoroscopy for real-time imaging guidance during procedures
- Cryoprobes for minimally invasive biopsies and extraction of foreign bodies
Working Together for Your Child’s Care
The Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center works closely with other CHAM specialty programs to provide comprehensive care:
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- Aerodigestive Program at Montefiore (ADAM): joint procedures with pediatric ENT and GI specialists for children with complex airway, swallowing, and digestive concerns
- Adult Interventional Pulmonology and Transplant teams: collaborative procedures for adolescents and young adults with complex conditions, ensuring seamless care across ages
This collaborative approach means children benefit from the combined expertise of multiple specialists, all working together in one coordinated plan of care, ensuring personalized treatment, clear communication with families, and seamless follow-up.
Our Team
The Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center is led by an experienced pediatric Pulmonology team.
Mahmoud R. Abu Zahra, MD
Director, Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center
Pediatric Pulmonologist, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Taylor L. DiBuono, NP
Lead Coordinator, Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center
Pediatric Pulmonologists:
Deepa Rastogi, MD
Chief, Pediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine
Aneela A. Bidiwala, MD
Co-Director, Aerodigestive Program at Montefiore
Raanan Arens, MD
Pediatric Pulmonologist and Sleep Physician
Yanki K. Okuducu, MD
Pediatric Pulmonologist
What to Expect?
- Initial evaluation: Our team meets with families and patients, performs a thorough history and physical examination, and requests the necessary investigations to determine the need for the procedure.
- Before the procedure: Once the decision is made to proceed with the bronchoscopy, the team will explain the process, possible complications and outcomes, and answer all questions.
- During the procedure: Bronchoscopy is performed under anesthesia, with constant monitoring to ensure safety and comfort.
- After the procedure: Most children go home the same day. Results are discussed with families, and a personalized care plan is created.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Children’s Airway and Bronchoscopy Center at CHAM or to schedule a consultation, call 718-920-3000.