At PHC Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, your respiratory and sleep health is our top priority. Our expert team, comprising nine dedicated providers—including four board-certified physicians—specializes in pulmonary care, critical care, and sleep medicine. With two convenient locations, we offer comprehensive services designed to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of conditions, from chronic lung diseases to sleep disorders. We combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate care to help you breathe easier and sleep better.
Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Ahmed Elnaggar, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Enrique Ordaz, MD, Jose Perez, MD, FCCP, FAASSM, Vishal Patel, MD
Our Approach
Our Office
2 Convenient Locations
Statesville and Mooresville
8 Providers On-Site
Ahmed Elnaggar, MD, FCCP, FAASM, Enrique Ordaz, MD, Jose Perez, MD, FCCP, FAASSM, Vishal Patel, MD, CJ Bellina, FNP-C, Emily Harris, FNP-C, and Jeanna Chapman, NP, Tami Mills, FNP-BC
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Our Location
STATESVILLE
208 Old Mocksville Road
Statesville, NC 28625
704-838-8240 Phone
704-924-5360 Fax
MOORESVILLE
170 Medical Park Road, Suite 205
Mooresville, NC 28117
Hours:
Sun: Closed
Mon-Thurs: 8AM–4PM
Fri & Sat: Closed
Our Services
What is an Ion Bronch?
An Ion bronchoscopy (often called Ion robotic bronchoscopy) is a special, advanced type of bronchoscopy that uses a robot to help doctors look deep inside the lungs. It is often used when doctors need to check for lung cancer or take a sample from a very small or hard-to-reach spot in the lungs.
It uses:
• A robot arm
• A tiny camera
• A bendy tube (bronchoscope)
The robot helps the doctor move the tube very carefully and exactly where it needs to go.
How It Works
• You lie down and get sleepy medicine
• The doctor uses a computer and robot to guide the bronchoscope
• The camera helps the doctor see inside your lungs
• The doctor may take a small piece of tissue (a biopsy) to test
Why Use Ion Bronch?
• It can go deeper into the lungs
• It helps find tiny spots
• It is more accurate
• It is often used to check for early signs of lung cancer
What is an EBUS?
EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound) is a safe and minimally invasive procedure that helps your doctor look closely at your lungs and the lymph nodes (small glands) around them.
Why you might need it:
Your doctor may recommend an EBUS if:
• You have a spot or mass in your lungs
• Your lymph nodes are enlarged
• They need to check for lung cancer, infections, or other lung conditions
What happens during the procedure:
• You’ll be given medicine to help you relax or sleep.
• A thin, flexible tube with a camera and ultrasound (like a tiny microphone that uses sound waves) is passed gently through your mouth or nose into your airways.
• The ultrasound helps the doctor see areas outside your lungs.
• If needed, the doctor can use a small needle through the tube to take tissue samples (a biopsy).
After the procedure:
• You’ll rest for a short time while the sedation wears off.
• Most people go home the same day.
• Your doctor will talk to you once the test results are ready.
Benefits:
• Helps avoid major surgery
• Usually quick to recover from
• Gives important information to help guide your treatment
What is a Thoracentesis?
The lungs are surrounded by a small amount of fluid that helps them move smoothly inside the chest. When too much fluid builds up in the space between the lungs and chest wall—a condition called pleural effusion—it can make breathing difficult. Thoracentesis involves inserting a needle between the ribs to drain this excess fluid.
Why Is It Done?
Thoracentesis is performed to:
• Relieve symptoms like shortness of breath caused by fluid buildup.
• Diagnose the cause of the fluid accumulation, such as infections, heart failure, cancer, or liver disease.
How Is It Done?
The procedure typically takes place in a hospital or clinic and involves:
1. Sitting upright and leaning forward on a table.
2. Cleaning and numbing the skin over the procedure site.
3. Inserting a needle between the ribs into the pleural space to remove fluid.
4. Applying a bandage to the insertion site afterward.
Ultrasound may be used to guide the needle accurately.
Risks
While generally safe, thoracentesis carries some risks, including:
• Lung collapse (pneumothorax).
• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Damage to nearby organs (rare).
These risks are minimized when the procedure is performed by trained professionals.
Recovery
Most people can go home the same day after the procedure. You may experience mild soreness at the needle site. A chest X-ray may be done afterward to check for complications.
If you have further questions or need more detailed information about thoracentesis, feel free to ask.
What Is a Bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is a test that helps doctors look inside your lungs. They use a soft, bendy tube called a bronchoscope. The tube goes in your nose or mouth, down your throat, and into your lungs. It has a tiny camera and light so doctors can see what’s going on inside.
Why do doctors do it?
• See why you’re coughing a lot
• Find out why it’s hard to breathe
• Check for infections or other lung problems
• Take a tiny piece from the lung to look at (called a sample)
• Clean out mucus
What happens during the test?
• Your provider inserts an IV into your arm to deliver a sedative to help you relax.
• You lie on a bed or table with your head propped up.
• Your provider may apply a numbing spray to your mouth (or nose) and throat. This helps with any discomfort you may feel when they insert the bronchoscope.
• Once the area is numb and you’re under sedation, your provider inserts the bronchoscope through your nose or mouth or through a tube, while you’re under anesthesia, and down into your windpipe to your lungs.
• Your provider may suction saliva (spit) from your mouth since you won’t be able to swallow.
• After the procedure, your provider gently removes the bronchoscope. Your healthcare team monitors your condition until you’re fully awake.
After the test:
Bronchoscopy is an outpatient procedure, so you won’t need to spend the night in the hospital. You can typically go home within a few hours of the procedure. Your healthcare team will monitor you after the procedure to ensure you’re breathing and swallowing properly. You may have a numb throat for up to an hour. You may have a sore throat, cough or hoarseness for the next 24 hours. Using cough drops can help with this. Most people can return to normal activities the next day. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you should restrict your activities in any way.
Call the doctor if you feel:
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Fever
• Keep coughing or see blood