Dr Nikhil Kumar Meena

New Lung Biopsy Robot at UAMS Detects Early-Stage Cancer in Far Reaches of Lung

By Linda Satter

Doctors at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently activated the first lung biopsy robot in Arkansas. The robot allows doctors to discover and biopsy previously undetectable cancerous nodules in the far reaches of the lungs.

“This enables us to visualize and precisely biopsy lung nodules so we can catch lung cancer in its early stages and increase survival rates,” said Nikhil Meena, M.D., an interventional pulmonologist and associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine.

The Ion Endoluminal Robotic Bronchoscopy System, made by Intuitive, was used at UAMS for the first time on Sept. 14, enabling Meena to find early cancerous nodules in the lungs of two patients.

https://news.uams.edu/2021/10/13/new-lung-biopsy-robot-at-uams-detects-early-stage-cancer-in-far-reaches-of-lung/

COVID-19-Infected Arkansans at Risk for Developing Debilitating Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

Those who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 are at risk for developing what's referred to as "long covid," or Post-Acute COVID Syndrome, which can cause prolonged malaise, impaired heart function, and blood clotting disorders. Associate professor and UAMS pulmonologist, Dr. Nikhil Kumar Meena — who attends to critically ill COVID-19 patients — details the incidence, symptoms, and targeted treatment.

Dr. Nikhil Kumar MeenaCOURTESY / UAMS

Dr. Nikhil Kumar Meena

COURTESY / UAMS