Dr. Yehuda SchwartzHead of the Pulmonology Institute
A lung cyst is a cavity in the lung that contains air or fluid. This condition is benign and occurs in patients of different genders and age groups. According to some data, lung cysts occur in 3-5% of all patients with respiratory diseases. The surgeons at our clinic have accumulated extensive experience in the surgical treatment of cysts, including the use of endoscopic equipment that allows for the removal of the cyst in the least traumatic way for the patient. Delaying a visit to the clinic is not advisable, as many neoplasms of uncertain nature can transform into lung cancer.
The removal of a lung cyst usually involves a planned surgery, but delaying treatment may require emergency measures due to the risk of complications. Therefore, our specialists pay close attention to the timely diagnosis of this condition, using modern high-precision equipment.
Treatment of Lung Cysts in Israel – Main Methods
Although the condition often proceeds asymptomatically, in complicated cases it can pose a threat to health and life, thus requiring timely treatment, which usually involves surgical removal of the cyst.
Lung cysts are divided into congenital (true) and acquired (false). Congenital cysts develop during the intrauterine period, while acquired ones may result from previous diseases or lung injuries – bullous emphysema, tuberculosis, pneumothorax, and other infectious diseases and inflammatory-destructive processes in the lungs. Polycystic disease, characterized by the formation of multiple lung cysts, is also quite common.
The main danger of a lung cyst lies in its asymptomatic course in the early stages of development. The disease manifests itself only when the cyst has developed to significant sizes. The patient may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough. In the case of cyst infection, symptoms of intoxication may arise, including fever and respiratory failure.
Treatment of lung cysts is primarily surgical. Cysts often become complicated by infection, so preoperative preparation includes the use of antibiotic medications, and the surgery is performed after the exacerbation has been resolved. In some cases, the patient may require emergency assistance before the operation, which includes transthoracic drainage of the cyst.
The removal of a lung cyst in Israel is performed by excising its walls using thoracoscopic access. With the help of an endoscopic thoracoscope, the surgeon examines the lung and removes the cyst through a small camera inserted through a puncture in the sternum. If thoracoscopic surgery is not possible for any reason, a thoracotomy is performed – an open surgery on the lung with minimal impact on healthy tissues.
In complicated cases, where the cyst is fused with lung tissues or is multiple, segmentectomy or lobectomy – partial removal of the lung – is indicated. Pneumonectomy – complete removal of the lung – is extremely rare.
The prognosis for the surgery is good, and recurrences of the disease are rarely observed. After surgical treatment at Ichilov Top Clinic, patients undergo a rehabilitation course until full recovery.
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The Process of Diagnosing a Cyst
Diagnosing a lung cyst at our clinic takes three to four days. During this time, the patient adapts to the conditions of the clinic, undergoes all necessary examinations, and receives a treatment plan.
First Day – Arrival at the Clinic
On the first day, the patient, accompanied by a curator who acts as a translator and intermediary representing the patient's interests in the clinic, goes for the first consultation at Ichilov Top. The leading pulmonologist reviews the medical history, conducts a primary examination, and issues referrals for necessary diagnostic procedures.
Second Day – Complete Diagnostics
On the second day, a complete diagnostic workup is conducted, which may include several types of examinations.
- X-ray examination of the lungs (overview radiography, X-ray in two projections).
- Fluorographic examination.
- Computed tomography of the lungs.
- MRI of the lungs.
- Diagnostic thoracoscopy (minimally invasive examination of the lungs using endoscopic techniques).
- Angiography – examination of the state of the vessels and overall blood supply to the lungs using X-ray and contrast.
Third Day – Treatment Plan
On the third day, the leading pulmonologist, along with other specialists involved in the diagnostics, forms a team that analyzes the diagnostic results and selects the most promising method for surgical treatment of the cyst.
Treatment of Lung Cysts in Israel – Prices
Depending on the size of the cyst, its type, accompanying complications, and the patient's condition, treatment of this condition may require varying degrees of surgical intervention. In most cases, the cyst is solitary and small, and endoscopic surgery is sufficient for its treatment. In other cases, more extensive treatment may be required, including open surgery on the lungs. Therefore, the cost of treating a cyst is determined by the complexity of the operation and depends on the diagnostic results.
Regardless of the required surgical measures, the cost of cyst treatment in our country is significantly lower than treatment in clinics in European countries and the USA. Israeli clinics are known worldwide for the accessibility of medical services provided and treatment prices that are 20-45% lower than in other countries with developed healthcare systems.
Advantages of Treatment at Ichilov Top Center
- Timely and quality diagnostics. Our clinic is equipped with high-precision equipment, which is essential for every case of examining patients with complex pulmonary diseases such as lung cysts. The use of the latest tomographs and radiographic installations, as well as thoracoscopic diagnostic methods, allows for accurate localization of the cyst, determination of its type and size, and is a guarantee of subsequent successful surgery.
- Organ-preserving surgical methods. In the pulmonology department of Ichilov Top Clinic, preference is given to endoscopic surgeries that do not require traumatic intervention, which promotes rapid patient rehabilitation, does not lead to complications, and is more cost-effective.
- Highly qualified pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons. Our clinic employs specialists who have dedicated many years to their profession, during which they underwent extensive medical training and clinical practice, and often conducted scientific research in the field of lung cyst treatment, earning a reputation in the international medical community.
- Maximally comfortable conditions for staying in the clinic. The rooms at Ichilov Top can only be formally called rooms. In reality, they resemble cozy hotel suites where patients can feel at home. Surrounded by the care and attention of our medical staff, patients psychologically cope better with surgery and recover their strength more quickly in the postoperative period. Each patient admitted to the clinic receives a personal curator responsible for interaction with doctors, translation of medical documents, and addressing everyday issues.