Diagnosis of patients who present with symptoms or X-ray images of unclear lung and respiratory diseases. Our centre also has expertise in the care of patients with rare lung diseases, such as pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis or alveolar proteinosis.

A number of functional departments enable rapid diagnosis and treatment. This includes a modern bronchoscopy department, in which around 1600 bronchoscopies are carried out every year. If necessary, an anaesthetist is also available so that the examination (rigid bronchoscopy) can be carried out under general anaesthetic. This is particularly necessary for therapeutic procedures such as tumour removal for central bronchial carcinomas and stent implantations in the airways. State-of-the-art equipment is available, including a flexible cryoprobe and an argon plasma projector. In the treatment of malignant pleural effusions, the innovative implantation of a so-called Denver drainage, a pleural catheter tunnelled under the skin, enables immediate symptom control for the patient and the possibility of independent effusion control.

The type and severity of functional disorders of the lungs are precisely determined in the pulmonary function department with its state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to body plethymography, CO diffusion measurement, determination of respiratory pump parameters, inhalation provocation testing and blood gas analysis, spiroergometry is also carried out on a large scale. Among other things, this examination makes it possible to differentiate between cardiac and pulmonary dyspnoea and can assess a patient's physical performance and fitness for surgery. Cutaneous allergy tests and inhaled provocation tests are carried out in allergy diagnostics. Omalizumab, a new active ingredient (anti-IgE) in the treatment of severe allergic asthma, is also administered on an outpatient basis on special referral.

Bronchial carcinoma (also known as bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchus carcinoma or lung cancer) is a malignant neoplasm of degenerated cells in the bronchi or bronchioles. Bronchial carcinoma is one of the most common and most dangerous types of cancer. The number of cases of lung cancer has increased significantly over the last 50 years: along with breast, prostate and bowel cancer, lung cancer is one of the most common tumour diseases in western industrialised nations. In Germany, around 50,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, making it the third most common type of cancer in both sexes. One of the main causes of this cancer is smoking, but non-smokers can also be affected. Although it can be cured if detected early, the spread to surrounding organs is dangerous. This process is the formation of metastases, which can make treatment more difficult.

Pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary arterial hypertension, abbreviations PH, PAH or PHT) is a collective term for diseases characterised by an increasing rise in vascular resistance and an increase in arterial blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation, often associated with subsequent right heart failure. Patients suffer from severely reduced physical performance, circulatory disorders and fatigue.

If not yet available, further diagnostics (CT thorax, ventilation perfusion scintigraphy, upper abdominal sonogram, laboratory control) can be organised as an outpatient or inpatient at our centre. The right heart catheterisation required to confirm the diagnosis is carried out as an inpatient in our department and, if indicated, includes an inhalation test for vasoreactivity.

PH-specific therapy can be initiated via our specialised outpatient clinic. A major advantage of our university centre is the close cooperation with other specialist disciplines, such as rheumatology and dermatology.

If a specific therapy has to be applied for as part of an individual treatment trial, an off-label application can also be submitted via our centre. Further care and prescription of medication takes place either at the centre in close consultation with colleagues in private practice or directly with the referring physicians.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the airways with persistent hypersensitivity. In people with this predisposition, the inflammation leads to attacks of breathlessness as a result of a narrowing of the airways - a so-called bronchial obstruction (definition of the international consensus report). This narrowing of the airways is caused by increased secretion of mucus, cramping of the bronchial muscles and the formation of oedema in the bronchial mucosa; it can be reversed by treatment.

In addition to extended lung function diagnostics and stress tests, an allergological clarification can be carried out. In particular, extended laboratory diagnostics can also be carried out to clarify similar clinical pictures ("differential diagnostics"). In addition, close cooperation with colleagues from the ear, nose and throat (ENT), dermatology, rheumatology, gastroenterology and psychosomatic medicine departments is possible directly at the centre.

We are happy to optimise drug therapy and review the inhalation technique. For patients with severe asthma, our specialised outpatient clinic can obtain a second opinion or therapy confirmation before starting antibody therapy (anti-IgE therapy (omalizumab), anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab, benralizumab)). Pending diagnostics can be carried out directly in-house. After initiation, we offer therapy support and therapy monitoring, but this can also be provided by our specialist colleagues close to home after consultation. If necessary, immunoglobulin substitution can also be carried out via our centre.

Further targeted therapeutic approaches are available as part of studies. As a university centre, we are also part of the Germany-wide asthma network GAN.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (abbreviation: COPD, more rarely also chronic obstructive lung disease, COLD, chronic obstructive airway disease, COAD) is a collective term for a group of lung diseases characterised by coughing, increased sputum production and shortness of breath on exertion. First and foremost, chronic obstructive bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema should be mentioned. Both clinical pictures are characterised by the fact that exhalation in particular is impaired.

In addition to optimising drug therapy, we offer individual training in the correct inhalation technique. Recommendations for consistent smoking cessation and breathing and physiotherapy exercises are also part of the therapeutic programme - if required, contact can also be made with a lung sports group. Testing and prescription of home oxygen therapy or a visit to our sleep laboratory is also possible at any time.

For patients with an alpha-one antitrypsin deficiency, we can offer regular intravenous enzyme substitution as an alpha-one centre.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) refers to a group of lung diseases that affect the epithelium of the alveoli (alveolar epithelium), the endothelium of the pulmonary capillaries, the basement membrane and the perivascular and perilymphatic tissues of the lungs. The term "ILD" distinguishes these clinical pictures from obstructive respiratory diseases (such as COPD).

Once a diagnosis has been made, specific therapy is initiated via our centre. This can be immunosuppressive therapy, for example. In the case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we have many years of experience in treating patients with nintedanib or pirfenidone. It is important for us to provide patients and their relatives with detailed information about the therapy and possible side effects. Patients also receive initial tips on how to deal with possible side effects before starting treatment.

Our specialist colleagues in private practice are also happy to start therapy and provide further support. On request, further care is possible at our centre, also in close contact with various transplant centres and access to innovative study protocols (see: Study Centre).

In our sleep laboratory, we diagnose and treat patients with sleep-related breathing disorders. These can be characterised, for example, by pauses in breathing at night, daytime sleepiness or heavy snoring.