Roberto F. Casal, M.D.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1998 | Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, AR, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2008-2009 | Clinical Fellowship, Interventional Pulmonology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2005-2008 | Clinical Fellowship, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Fellowship, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2003-2005 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2002-2003 | Clinical Fellowship, HIV-Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1999-2002 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Buenos Aires Medical School, Buenos Aires |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2025 | American Association for Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology - Interventional Pulmonology |
| 2015 | American Association for Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology - Interventional Pulmonology |
| 2008 | American Board of Internal Medicine - Critical Care |
| 2007 | American Board of Internal Medicine - Pulmonary Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2022
Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, Advanced Bronchoscopy Program, Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - Present
Director, Clinical Research Unit, Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2017 - Present
Director, Interventional Pulmonology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2016
Director, Bronchoscopy Lab, The Michael E. DeBakey V.A. Medical Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Other Professional Positions
Chair, Research Council, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2021 - Present
Member, Baylor College of Medicine Clinical Competency Committee for Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2016
Chair, The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Cancer Committee, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2016
Pulmonary Representative, The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center COIN Committee, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Member, The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2016
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Distinguished Paper Review Sub-Committee for Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Member, Research Training Sub-Committee for Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - Present
Member, Advisory Clinical Research Council (ACRC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Institutional Research Grant Reviewer Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Member, Educational Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Chair, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Search Committee, Chair Position for the Department of Anesthesia and Pre-operative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Image-Guided Cancer Treatment (IGCT) Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Search Committee, Chair Position for the Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2019
Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - Present
Member, Distinguished Paper Awards Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2019
Editorial Activities
Editorial Board, Mediastinum, 2020 - Present
Editorial Board, Journal of Thoracic Disease, 2018 - Present
Associate Editor, Revista Americana de Medicina Respiratoria, 2015 - Present
Associate Editor, Pleura, 2015 - Present
Section Editor in Chief, World Association of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, 2015 - 2018
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians, FCCP |
| 2024 | Distinguished CHEST Educator, ACCP |
| 2022 | Clinical Research Distinguished Paper Award, Division of Internal Medicine |
| 2021 | Runner up, Excellence in Clinical Care, DoIM, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 - 2021 | Awesome Job Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2017 - 2021 | Distinguished CHEST Educator, ACCP Chest |
| 2016 | Dr. Atul Mehta Editorial Excellence Award, American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology |
| 2016 | Top Doctors 2016, Houstonia Magazine |
| 2015 | The Geoffrey McLennan Memorial Award for Advances in Interventional Pulmonology, American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology |
| 2013 - 2015 | Attending of the Year Award, Baylor College of Medicine |
| 2013 - 2015 | Elected to Board of Directors, American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology |
| 2012 | Recognition for the Establishment of the First Interventional Pulmonology Service in the V.A. Health System, Veteran's Affairs |
| 2011 - 2012 | Outstanding Faculty Award, Baylor College of Medicine |
| 2011 - 2012 | Who is Who, Healthcare in America |
| 2005 | Outstanding Participation in Morning Report, The University of Texas, Houston |
| 1998 | Diploma de Honor, University of Buenos Aires, Medical School |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. Advances in Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Lung Lesions. Invited. Division of Internal Medicine and Cancer Survivorship Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Advances in Peripheral Bronchoscopy. Invited. Division of Internal Medicine and Cancer Survivorship Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Mediastinal Staging. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures, Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Mediastinal Staging. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures, Interventional Pulmonary Fellowship. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Grand Rounds. McGovern School of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Advanced in Peripheral Bronchoscopy: From Diagnosis to Treatment of Lung Cancer. Invited. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Grand Rounds. McGovern School of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Approach to the patient with Tracheal Injury. Invited. Department of Pulmonary Medicine. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Approach to the patient with pneumothorax. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Endobronchial Ultrasound Part 1. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Endobronchial Ultrasound Part 2. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2015. Guided- Bronchoscopy. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Approach to the patient with pneumothorax. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Approach to Malignant and Para-Pneumonic Effusions. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Approach to the patient with pneumothorax. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Approach to Malignant and Para-Pneumonic Effusions. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. Approach to Malignant and Para-Pneumonic Effusions. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. Interventional Pulmonology: The Revolution is Here. Grand Rounds. Department of Medicine”. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. Approach to the patient with pneumothorax. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Approach to Malignant and Para-Pneumonic Effusions. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. Medicine Grand Rounds. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Introduction to Interventional Pulmonology. Invited. BCM Annually Bronchoscopy Course, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Transbronchial Needle Aspiration. Invited. BCM Annually Bronchoscopy Course. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Management of Malignant and Parapneumonic Pleural Effusions. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Transbronchial Needle Aspiration. Invited. BCM Annually Bronchoscopy Course. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Pulmonary Complications of HIV. Invited. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Update in Interventional Pulmonology. Invited. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2009. Interventional Pulmonology. Invited. Annual Respiratory Care Symposium. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2009. Pleural Effusions. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2009. Preventing Damage to the Bronchoscope. Invited. BCM Annually Bronchoscopy Course. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2008. Pneumothorax. Invited. Core Curriculum Lectures. Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship. Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2014. Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Role of EBUS in Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Role of EBUS in Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided TBNA. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided TBNA. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2009. Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. Pulmonary and Critical Care Grand Rounds The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2008. Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. Pulmonary and Critical Care Grand Rounds The University of Tennessee at Memphis. Memphis, Tennesse, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. How I Do It: Reducing Motion and Atelectasis in Advanced Procedures. Invited. American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP). Austin, Texas, US.
- 2025. Thermal and non-thermal alternatives to microwave ablation. Invited. American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP). Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Patient positioning to Maximize Yield of Navigational Bronchoscopy. Invited. AABIP Conference. Charlotte, North Carolina, US.
- 2024. CBCT guidance for Navigational Bronchoscopy, Pro and Con Debate. Invited. AABIP Conference. Charlotte, North Carolina, US.
- 2023. Winning Strategies to Avert Atelectasis During Peripheral Bronchoscopy. Invited. CHEST. Honolulu, Hawaii, US.
- 2022. Bronchoscopic Therapeutics for Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. AABIP Conference. Nashville, Tennessee, US.
- 2022. Tumor Microenvironment and Intralesional Bronchoscopic Injections. Invited. AABIP Conference. Nashville, Tennessee, US.
- 2021. Bronchoscopic Ablation of Lung Tumors. Invited. Society of Interventional Oncology (SIO), US.
- 2021. Mediastinal Staging in Radiographic T1N0M0. Invited. American Thoracic Society Webinar, US.
- 2020. Therapeutic Bronchoscopy Year in Review. Invited. AABIP Annual Conference (virtual), US.
- 2020. Bronchoscopic Interventions for Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. AABIP Webinar, US.
- 2019. Stenting for Malignant Broncho-Esophageal Fistulas. Invited. Second Meeting of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2018. Mediastinal Staging. Invited. 6th Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. San Antonio, Texas, US.
- 2018. Technical Aspects and Clinical Applications of Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. San Antonio, Texas, US.
- 2018. Role of Elastography in EBUS-TBNA. Invited. First Meeting of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2018. Bronchoscopic Ablation of Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. First Meeting of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2018. Management of Persistent Air-Leaks. Invited. First Meeting of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2017. Sedation techniques for Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. 2017 CHEST Meeting. Toronto, CA.
- 2017. Mediastinal Staging of Centrally Located Lung Tumors. Invited. 2017 CHEST Meeting. Toronto, CA.
- 2016. Influential RCT in Thoracic Oncology and Bronchoscopy. Invited. 2016 CHEST Meeting. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2016. Update in Staging and Management of Lung Cancer. Invited. 2016 CHEST Meeting. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2016. Technical Aspects of Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. 4th Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2014. Rigid Bronchoscopy. Invited. 2nd Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2014. Malignant Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. ”. 2nd Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Austin, Texas, US.
- 2014. Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. The 2014 MEDVAMC Thoracic Oncology Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Mediastinal Anatomy: Understanding the IASLC map. Invited. The 2014 MEDVAMC Thoracic Oncology Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Lung Cancer Screening with Low-Dose CT Chest: The Pros. Invited. KOPPA Conference of Pulmonary Diseases. Hunt, Texas, US.
- 2012. Management of Malignant Airway Involvement. Invited. 16th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. Update on Central Airway Obstruction. Invited. KOPPA Conference of Pulmonary Diseases. Hunt, Texas, US.
- 2011. Update on EBUS. Invited. KOPPA Conference of Pulmonary Diseases. Hunt, Texas, US.
- 2010. Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Management of medically inoperable early stage lung cancer. Invited. KOPPA Conference of Pulmonary Diseases. Hunt, Texas, US.
- 2009. Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Grand Rounds. Department of Palliative Care Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2009. Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2008. Invasive Tracheobronchial Aspergillosis. Invited. KOPPA Conference of Pulmonary Diseases. Hunt, Texas, US.
- 2007. Steroids are Essential in Sepsis. Invited. PRO & CON Debate Texas Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
International Presentations
- 2022. Bronchoscopy of the Future. Invited. 50th Conference of Argentinian Respiratory Disease Society. Mar Del Plata, AR.
- 2022. Atelectasis during Bronchoscopy. Invited. 50th Conference of Argentinian Respiratory Disease Society. Mar Del Plata, AR.
- 2020. Robotic Bronchoscopy. Invited. 48th Conference of Argentinian Respiratory Disease Society. Buenos Aires, AR.
- 2020. Bronchoscopic Therapies for Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. World Congress on Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Shanghai, CN.
- 2018. Bronchoscopic Ablation of Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. Congreso Colombiano de Neumologia. Buenos Aires, AR.
- 2018. Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. 8th Cancer Series Conference, PR.
- 2018. Bronchoscopic Ablation of Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. 8th Cancer Series Conference, PR.
- 2018. Systematic Staging of the Mediastinum. Invited. 20th World Congress of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Rochester, US.
- 2018. Bronchoscopic Ablation of Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. 20th World Congress of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Rochester, US.
- 2018. Bronchoscopic Management of Persistent Air-Leaks. Invited. Congreso Argentino de Bronco-Esofagologia. Mendoza, AR.
- 2018. Radial-Probe Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Lesions. Invited. 77th International Meeting of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery. Leon, MX.
- 2018. Usefulness of Cryobiopsies in Interstitial Lung Disease. Invited. 77th International Meeting of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery. Leon, MX.
- 2018. New bronchoscopic techniques for diagnosis of peripheral lung nodules. Invited. Congreso Argentino de Bronco-Esofagologia. Mendoza, AR.
- 2018. Mediastinal Staging. Invited. Congreso Argentino de Bronco-Esofagologia. Mendoza, AR.
- 2018. Mediastinal Staging with EBUS-TBNA. Invited. 77th International Meeting of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery. Leon, MX.
- 2017. EBUS-TBNA Technical Aspects. Invited. 5th Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Toronto, CA.
- 2017. Bronchoscopic Ablation of Peripheral Lung Tumors. Invited. 45th Argentinean Congress of Respiratory Diseases. Cordoba, AR.
- 2017. Role of Endobronchial Ultrasound in Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. 45th Argentinean Congress of Respiratory Diseases. Cordoba, AR.
- 2017. Advances in Peripheral Bronchoscopy. Invited. 45th Argentinean Congress of Respiratory Diseases. Cordoba, AR.
- 2016. Year in Review of Interventional Pulmonology. Invited. 19th World Congress for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Florance, IT.
- 2015. Broncho-Pleural Fistulas. Invited. 3nd Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Montreal, CA.
- 2015. Cytology samples and Molecular Markers for Lung Cancer. Invited. 2015 CHEST Meeting. Monteal, CA.
- 2015. Technical Aspects of Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. 3rd Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Montreal, CA.
- 2015. EBUS-TBNA Technical Aspects. Invited. 3nd Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Montreal, CA.
- 2015. Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction. Invited. 3nd Interventional Pulmonology Board Review Course. Montreal, CA.
- 2014. Navigational Bronchoscopy. Invited. XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Endoscopia Respiratoria. Rio Grande do Sul, BR.
- 2014. The role of bronchoscopy in the approach of peripheral lung nodules suspicious for malignancy. Invited. XXXVII Congresso Brasileiro de Pneumologia. Gramado. Rio Grande do Sul, BR.
- 2014. Guided bronchoscopy in the era of the NLST trial. Invited. Congreso Centroamericano y del Caribe de Enfermedades Del Torax. Punta Cana, DO.
- 2013. Update in Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. Congreso Centroamericano y del Caribe de Enfermedades Del Torax. Antigua, GT.
- 2012. Interventional Pulmonology: “No guts, no glory”. Invited. 17th World Congress for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. Cleveland, US.
- 2012. The 7th TNM classification for lung cancer. Invited. Congreso Centroamericano y del Caribe de Enfermedades Del Torax. Panama City, PA.
Formal Peers
- 2014. Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Role of EBUS in Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Role of EBUS in Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided TBNA. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided TBNA. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2008. Endobronchial Ultrasound. Invited. Memphis, TN, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Multicenter Trial on the use of Monarch Robot and Neuwave Microwave Ablation for metastatic lung disease |
| Funding Source: | Johnson and Johnson |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Multicenter Trial on the use of Ion Robot with Cios Spin Integration |
| Funding Source: | Intuitive Surgical |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2020 - Present |
| Title: | M-CAB Trial (Mobile-CT assisted Bronchoscopy) |
| Funding Source: | Siemens America, Inc |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2019 - 2020 |
| Title: | ANET Study |
| Funding Source: | Olympus Respiratory Inc., America |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2019 - Present |
| Title: | Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Injection of Radio-Sensitizing Nanoparticles (NBTXR3) into Mediastinal/Hilar Lymph Nodes: A Feasibility Study Evaluating Injection Technique and Nanoparticle Distribution |
| Funding Source: | Strategic Alliance with Nanobiotix S.A |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2018 - 2021 |
| Title: | Bronchoscopic Laser Ablation of Solid Peripheral Lung Tumors followed by Surgical Resection (BLAST-SR Trial) |
| Funding Source: | MDACC IRG |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2017 - 2022 |
| Title: | A Multicenter, Prospective, Open-label, Non-randomized Single-arm Clinical Study of the Safety and Tissue Response to Photodynamic Therapy Using Porfimer Sodium for Injection as Treatment for Solid Tumor in Peripheral Lung Prior to Surgical Resection |
| Funding Source: | Convergent |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2016 - 2017 |
| Title: | The Use of Cone-Beam CT to Enhance Navigation and Diagnostic Yield of RP-EBUS and Hybrid Bronchoscope for Peripheral Lung Nodules Suspicious for Malignancy: A Pilot Study |
| Funding Source: | Siemens America, Inc |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2015 - 2016 |
| Title: | The Molecular Biomarkers for Small Cell Lung Cancer Pathogenesis |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center and Lungevity Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2013 - 2016 |
| Title: | Spiration Pivotal II Trial (EMPROVE) |
| Funding Source: | Olympus Respiratory Inc., America |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2012 - 2015 |
| Title: | A Prospective Study with IBV Valve System for the Treatment of Prolonged Air-Leaks |
| Funding Source: | Spiration Inc., America |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Bashour SI, Khan A, Song J, Chintalapani G, Kleinszig G, Sabath BF, Lin J, Grosu HB, Jimenez CA, Eapen GA, Ost DE, Sarkiss M, Casal RF. Improving Shape-Sensing Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy Outcomes with Mobile Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Guidance. Diagnostics (Basel) 14(17), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39272739.
- Khan, A, Bashour, S, Sabath, BF, Lin, J, Sarkiss, MG, Song, J, Sagar, AS, Shah, A, Casal, RF. Severity of Atelectasis during Bronchoscopy. Diagnostics 14(2), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38248073.
- Salahuddin M, Sarkiss M, Sagar AS, Vlahos I, Chang CH, Shah A, Sabath BF, Lin J, Song J, Moon T, Norman PH, Eapen GA, Grosu HB, Ost DE, Jimenez CA, Chintalapani G, Casal RF. "Ventilatory Strategy to Prevent Atelectasis During Bronchoscopy Under General Anesthesia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial" (VESPA Trial). Chest 162(6):1393-1401, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35803302.
- Lin J, Sabath BF, Sarkiss M, Jimenez CA, Casal RF. Lateral Decubitus Positioning for Mobile CT-guided Robotic Bronchoscopy: A Novel Technique to Prevent Atelectasis. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol 29(3):220-223, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35730780.
- Reisenauer J, Simoff MJ, Pritchett MA, Ost DE, Majid A, Keyes C, Casal RF, Parikh MS, Diaz-Mendoza J, Fernandez-Bussy S, Folch EE. Ion: technology and techniques for shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. Ann Thorac Surg 113(1):308-315, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34370981.
- Simoff MJ, Pritchett MA, Reisenauer JS, Ost DE, Majid A, Keyes C, Casal RF, Parikh MS, Diaz-Mendoza J, Fernandez-Bussy S, Folch EE. Shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for pulmonary nodules: initial multicenter experience using the Ion™ Endoluminal System. BMC Pulm Med 21(1):322, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34656103.
- Sabath B, Casal RF. The (Hour)glass Half-Full: Modified Silicone Hourglass Stents for the Treatment of Central Airway Obstruction. Cureus 13(6):e15501, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34268032.
- Sagar AS, Sabath BF, Eapen GA, Song J, Marcoux M, Sarkiss M, Arain MH, Grosu HB, Ost DE, Jimenez CA, Casal RF. Incidence and Location of Atelectasis Developed During Bronchoscopy Under General Anesthesia: The I-LOCATE Trial. Chest 158(6):2658-2666, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32561439.
- Casal RF, Schwalk AJ, Fowlkes N, Aburto RR, Norton W, Dixon KA, Lin S, Shaitelman SF, Chintalapani G, Hill L. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided injection of NBTXR3 radio-enhancing nanoparticles into mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes: a swine model to evaluate feasibility, injection technique, safety, nanoparticle retention and dispersion. J Thorac Dis 12(5):2317-2324, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32642136.
- Casal RF, Sepesi B, Sagar AS, Tschirren J, Chen M, Li L, Sunny J, Williams J, Grosu HB, Eapen GA, Jimenez CA, Ost DE. Centrally located lung cancer and risk of occult nodal disease: an objective evaluation of multiple definitions of tumour centrality with dedicated imaging software. Eur Respir J 53(5), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30819811.
- Casal RF, Sarkiss M, Jones AK, Stewart J, Tam A, Grosu HB, Ost DE, Jimenez CA, Eapen GA. Cone beam computed tomography-guided thin/ultrathin bronchoscopy for diagnosis of peripheral lung nodules: a prospective pilot study. J Thorac Dis 10(12):6950-6959, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30746241.
- Casal RF, Walsh G, McArthur M, Hill LR, Landaeta MF, Armas Villalba AJ, Ong P, Debiane L, Vakil E, Grosu HB, Jimenez CA, Ost D, Adachi R, Eapen GA. Bronchoscopic Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy: An Experimental Study in Normal Porcine Lung Parenchyma. Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29771774.
- Cornwell LD, Panchal R, Bakaeen FG, Omer S, Preventza O, Lazarus DR, Casal RF. Bronchoscopic Management of Prolonged Air Leaks With Endobronchial Valves in a Veteran Population. JAMA Surg 152(2):207-209, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27806152.
- Casal RF, Lazarus DR, Kuhl K, Nogueras-González G, Perusich S, Green LK, Ost DE, Sarkiss M, Jimenez CA, Eapen GA, Morice RC, Cornwell L, Austria S, Sharafkanneh A, Rumbaut RE, Grosu H, Kheradmand F. Randomized Trial of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Under General Anesthesia Versus Moderate Sedation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 191(7):796-803, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25574801.
- Ong P, Grosu H, Eapen GA, Rodriguez M, Lazarus D, Ost D, Jimenez CA, Morice R, Bandi V, Tamara L, Cornwell L, Green L, Zhu A, Casal RF. Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Systematic Nodal Staging of Lung Cancer in Patients with N0 Disease by Computed Tomography and Integrated Positron Emission Tomography-computed Tomography. Ann Am Thorac Soc 12(3):415-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25584815.
- Casal RF, Iribarren J, Eapen G, Ost D, Morice R, Lan C, Cornwell L, Almeida FA, Grosu H, Jimenez CA. Safety and Effectiveness of Microdebrider Bronchoscopy for the Management of Central Airway Obstruction. Respirology 18(6):1011-5, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23520982.
- Casal RF, Staerkel GA, Ost D, Almeida FA, Uzbeck MH, Eapen GA, Jimenez CA, Nogueras-Gonzalez GM, Sarkiss M, Morice RC. Randomized Clinical Trial of Endobronchial Ultrasound Needle Biopsy With and Without Aspiration. Chest 142(3):568-73, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22156610.
Review Articles
- Khan A, Bashour S, Sabath B, Lin J, Sarkiss M, Song J, Sagar AS, Shah A, Casal RF. Severity of Atelectasis during Bronchoscopy: Descriptions of a New Grading System ( Atelectasis Severity Scoring System-"ASSESS") and At-Risk-Lung Zones. Diagnostics (Basel). MDPI 14(2):197, 2024. PMID: 38248073.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026