Left to right – Adventist Health Glendale’s robotic bronchoscopy experts Arin Aboulian, MD, Ramyar Mahdavi, MD, and David Wilhoite, MD, pictured with the Ion system.
Adventist Health Glendale recently completed its 100th robotic bronchoscopy using the Ion robotic-assisted platform, underscoring the hospital’s emergence as a regional referral center for complex lung nodule evaluation and early lung cancer diagnosis. The first Ion case was performed in September 2024 by Ramyar Mahdavi, MD, board-certified interventional pulmonologist, shortly after he joined Adventist Health following the establishment of the Interventional Pulmonology (IP) program at Keck Medicine of USC.
Robotic bronchoscopy with the Ion system uses CT-based 3D reconstructions of the lung to plan the safest route to peripheral and otherwise hard-to-reach nodules. An ultra-thin, highly maneuverable catheter mounted on a robotic arm allows the operator to navigate tight airway turns with a level of precision that is difficult to achieve with conventional bronchoscopy, enabling high-yield biopsies while minimizing complications.
“Robotic bronchoscopy is critical to our goal of achieving early, accurate diagnosis of lung cancer,” said Dr. Mahdavi. “With the Ion system, we can reach smaller and more peripheral lesions through minimally invasive techniques, obtain highly precise tissue samples in a shorter timeframe, and ultimately improve survival by initiating definitive treatment sooner.”
In a community with a relatively high prevalence of smoking and a growing number of incidentally detected pulmonary nodules, timely workup is essential. “Having the Ion here allows us to rapidly diagnose both malignant and non-malignant causes of pulmonary nodules,” said Arin Aboulian, MD, who spearheaded the effort to bring the Ion platform to Glendale in 2024. “Previously, many patients had to seek care elsewhere and navigate multiple tertiary centers, where it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Now we can complete the diagnostic workup locally and quickly connect patients with our thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, and other specialists.”
For patients whose nodules are ultimately benign, the program also provides reassurance. “Whether the biopsy shows an infection or another non-malignant growth, patients gain peace of mind from having a definitive diagnosis and knowing they are not facing lung cancer,” Dr. Aboulian added. “At the same time, having Ion has essentially catapulted our lung program onto the same level as nearby academic centers, which has been our shared goal with hospital leadership.”
The Ion platform is integrated with Adventist Health’s broader Interventional Pulmonology and multidisciplinary thoracic oncology services, including concurrent endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for staging and access to advanced surgical and non-surgical therapies. The milestone 100th case reflects both high demand and the program’s capacity to deliver complex procedures in a community-based tertiary setting.
Referral Information
Physicians may consider referral to Adventist Health Glendale’s Interventional Pulmonology/Robotic Bronchoscopy Program for patients with:
- Indeterminate pulmonary nodules or masses on CT
- Suspected or biopsy-proven lung cancer requiring further diagnostic clarification or staging
- Peripheral or hard-to-reach lesions that are not amenable to conventional bronchoscopy
- High-risk patients who would benefit from a minimally invasive diagnostic approach
To refer a patient for robotic bronchoscopy or other interventional pulmonology services at Adventist Health Glendale:
- Call 818-409-8100 to request a consult.
- Use your standard Adventist Health referral workflow and select Interventional Pulmonology / Robotic Bronchoscopy as the reason for consult.