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Our state-of-the-art pulmonary diagnostics laboratory helps people with serious lung and breathing disorders.
Licensed pulmonary therapists and technologists conduct our tests and all results are interpreted by a board-certified pulmonologist.
Our testing services include:
- Bronchoscopy
- Pulmonary Function Tests
- Spirometry (with and without post-bronchodilator testing)
- Static lung volumes (nitrogen washout and plethysmograph)
- Diffusion capacity
- Methacholine challenge study
- Airway resistance and conductance
- Maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures
- Cardiopulmonary exercise studies
- Exercise spirometry
- Arterial blood gas analysis and shunt studies
- Resting and exercise blood gas studies
- Exercise oximetry
Our services are available by physician referral from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to directly visualize the interior passageways of the lower respiratory tract through a bronchoscope
(a long, narrow, fiberoptic, lighted tube inserted through the nose or mouth). With the bronchoscope, the physician can see the larynx (voice box),
trachea (windpipe), bronchi (large airways to the lungs), and bronchioles (smaller branches of the bronchi).
There are two types of bronchoscopies, characterized by the type of bronchoscope used: flexible or rigid.
The type of bronchoscope used will determine the extent to which the bronchioles of the lung are visualized.
With a flexible bronchoscope, the physician is able to visualize not only the tissue of the larger airways (trachea and bronchi),
but also that of the smaller sections (bronchioles) as well.
The design of the flexible bronchoscope is advantageous because it can be maneuvered into the smaller bronchioles,
yielding more information about their condition than can be determined with a rigid bronchoscope. In addition, the flexible,
fiberoptic bronchoscope has interior channels which increase the capabilities of treatment options, such as delivering oxygen,
suctioning secretions, obtaining tissue samples (biopsy), instilling medications, and laser therapy.
A rigid bronchoscope is a straight, metal, lighted tube capable of visualizing only the larger airways, thus limiting the diagnostic
and therapeutic options available. However, certain conditions may warrant its use, such as aspiration of a large amount of secretions and/or blood,
controlling significant bleeding, or removal of foreign objects and/or lesions (diseased tissue) within the bronchi. Generally, the rigid bronchoscope
has been replaced by the flexible bronchoscope because it has less risk of traumatizing the tissue, improved patient tolerance, and provides
better access to smaller areas of the lung tissue.
During the procedure, you will most likely be awake, but you may receive a sedative to help you relax. A numbing agent will
be sprayed in your throat to minimize discomfort. General anesthesia may be used with the rigid bronchoscope.
After the procedure, you will remain at the hospital for a brief observation period and then you will be allowed to go home.
You should arrange to have somebody drive you home.
Pulmonary Function Test
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive diagnostic tests that provide measurable feedback about the function of the lungs.
By assessing lung volumes, capacities, rates of flow, and gas exchange, PFTs provide information that, when evaluated by your physician,
can help diagnose certain lung disorders.
A normally-functioning pulmonary system operates on many different levels to ensure adequate balance.
One of the primary functions of the pulmonary system is ventilation, the movement of air into and out of the lungs.
Some medical conditions may interfere with ventilation. These conditions may lead to chronic lung disease.
Conditions that interfere with normal ventilation are categorized as restrictive or obstructive. An obstructive condition
occurs when air has difficulty flowing into the lungs due to resistance, causing a decreased flow of air. A restrictive
condition occurs when the chest muscles are unable to expand adequately, creating a disruption in air flow.
Pulmonary function tests may be indicated to determine the presence, location, cause, and characteristics of the problem,
and to guide treatment.
Some PFTs involve the use of a spirometer. The spirometer is an instrument that measures the amount of air breathed
in and/or out and how quickly the air is inhaled and expelled from the lungs while breathing through a mouthpiece.
The measurements are recorded on a device called a spirograph. Other test results are derived from calculations based on the
results of certain spirometry procedures. In addition to measuring the amount and rate of air inhaled and exhaled, these tests
can also indicate how well oxygen and carbon dioxide are being exchanged in the alveoli.
Some PFTs, such as thoracic gas volume or other lung volume measurements, may be determined by plethysmography.
During plethysmography, a person sits or stands inside an air-tight box that resembles a short, square telephone booth to
perform the tests.
The normal values for PFTs vary from person to person. The amount of air inhaled and exhaled in your test results are
compared to the expected average in someone of the same age, height, sex, and race. In addition, results are compared to
your previous test results, if previous testing has been done. If you have abnormal PFT measurements or if your results are
different from previous tests, you may be referred for other diagnostic tests to establish a medical diagnosis.
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