Kolkata: CMRI launches eastern India’s first comprehensive Lung Nodule Evaluation and Advanced Management Clinic

With lung cancer rising sharply in Eastern India—often first appearing as small, incidental lung nodules—this clinic brings together advanced technology, structured clinical pathways, and a multidisciplinary team to offer faster, more accurate decision-making for patients.

Kolkata continues to witness one of the highest lung cancer burdens in the country, driven by high smoking prevalence, pollution exposure, and post-infection lung abnormalities.

Many lung nodules are benign, while others are early cancers needing timely intervention.

The challenge lies in distinguishing between them quickly and accurately.

Recognising this need, CMRI has developed a dedicated one-stop clinic with integrated diagnostics, navigation bronchoscopy, AI-assisted radiology, and next-generation cryo-technologies to streamline evaluation and improve outcomes.

At the heart of the clinic is AI-assisted nodule risk detection, which helps identify suspicious nodules early and track subtle changes over time. This is supported by precision navigation systems—often referred to as “GPS for the lungs”—which create a 3D map of the airways to guide pulmonologists directly to deep-seated or peripheral nodules that are difficult to access through conventional bronchoscopy.

CMRI has also integrated real-time confirmation tools, including Radial EBUS (a miniature ultrasound probe) and Cone Beam CT (CBCT), which provide intra-procedural cross-sectional imaging to verify accurate targeting before tissue sampling. This greatly enhances diagnostic success rates, especially for small or hard-to-reach nodules.

One of the clinic’s major advancements is the use of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy, a minimally invasive technique that uses controlled freezing to obtain larger and better-quality tissue samples compared to traditional needle biopsies.

This increases diagnostic yield and reduces the need for surgical biopsies.

The clinic follows a structured, multidisciplinary workflow that combines AI reports, pulmonology evaluation, radiology expertise, interventional bronchoscopy, on-site pathology (ROSE), and tumour board review. Importantly, most patients undergo navigation, confirmation, cryobiopsy, and staging in a single appointment, eliminating weeks of waiting and anxiety.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr.Shyam Krishnan, Interventional Pulmonologist - CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata, said, “As incidental and screening-detected lung nodules rise, patients need rapid, reliable evaluation supported by accurate technology. Our clinic brings AI-assisted interpretation, high-precision navigational bronchoscopy, and cryo-techniques under one unified workflow. This reduces unnecessary surgeries, speeds diagnosis, and ensures that early cancers are caught when they are most curable.”

Emphasising the multidisciplinary integration, Dr. Raja Dhar, Director & HOD, Department of Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals,CMRI Kolkata, added, “This is a game-changer for lung cancer care in India. We can perform navigation, CBCT confirmation, cryobiopsy and EBUS staging in one coordinated procedure, saving the patient weeks of uncertainty. The ability to combine diagnosis and staging in one session not only improves outcomes but reduces complications and speeds up the treatment.  It places CMRI among the most advanced lung care centres globally.”

The initiative has garnered international attention. Dr. Atul Mehta, a world-renowned Interventional Pulmonologist present for the inauguration, stated, "The work being done at this Comprehensive Lung Nodule Clinic is truly exceptional. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and is, without a doubt, on par with global centers of excellence."

Highlighting CMRI’s commitment to healthcare innovation, Sombrata Roy, Unit Head — CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata, added,  “At CMRI, our vision is simple: bring global-standard technology to every patient who walks through our doors. The launch of Eastern India’s first Comprehensive Lung Nodule Clinic reflects that commitment. By combining artificial intelligence, advanced navigation, and cryobiopsy — all within a single coordinated system — we are redefining what early lung cancer detection and treatment can look like . This clinic represents our belief that innovation must serve patients, accelerate diagnosis, and ultimately save lives.”

The Comprehensive Lung Nodule Clinic, situated within CMRI’s pulmonology division, offers AI-based radiology, navigational bronchoscopy, radial EBUS, CBCT-supported interventions, cryobiopsy and coordinated follow-up. It is positioned to become a referral hub for pulmonologists, oncologists, and radiologists across Eastern India.