Lung Services

Pulmonary Function Testing
 
 
A pulmonary function test is a simple and completely painless test preformed here in our facility.  The test takes on an average of 25 to 30 minutes and involves a series of breathing exercises designed to measure lung capacity. 

Many lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis are associated with characteristic patterns of abnormality on the pulmonary function test.   In the past most lung diseases required a biopsy, the vast majority of lung diseases now can be properly diagnosed by careful history, physical examination, testing of pulmonary function, and interpreting chest x-rays and other radiographs. 
 
 

Six Minute Walk 

Bronchoscopy 

Bronchoscopy is NOT an operation and is frequently done as an outpatient, with a hospital stay which lasts a few hours on average. 

It is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at your airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, your doctor will examine your throat, larynx, trachea and lower airways.

A flexible bronchoscope is a long, thin, lighted tube that is inserted into your trachea and larger bronchial tubes. Intravenous sedation maybe administered to help patients relax.  In addition, a local anesthetic such as Lidocaine is applied to the mouth, nose and throat to make passage of the instrument through the throat much more comfortable. Biopsies and washings can be obtained through the bronchoscope.  The actual procedure time is less than 30 minutes on average.

What is the purpose of a bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy may be used to:

• Identify the cause of airway problems, such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, or a long-term (chronic) cough.
• Take tissue samples when other tests, such as a chest x-ray or CT scan show problems with the lung.
• Diagnose lung diseases by collecting tissue or sputum, samples for examination.
• Diagnose and determine the extent of lung cancer.
• Remove objects blocking the airway.
• Evaluate and treat growths in the airway
• Control bleeding.

How To Prepare for a Bronchoscopy

A consent form must be signed prior to having a bronchoscopy.  Talk to the doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the procedure, its risks, how it will be done, or how long it will take to receive the results.

Before you have a bronchoscopy, tell the doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines.
• Are allergic to any medicines
• Have had bleeding problems or take blood-thinners, such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), or warfarin (Coumadin).
• Are or might be pregnant.

Do not eat or drink for at least 8 to 10 hours before the procedure.

Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

As with any diagnostic test there are risks associated with the procedure, but these risks are low relative to other more invasive alternatives to bronchoscopy, such as a surgical biopsy or inspection. 

Thoracentesis 

A pleural effusion occurs when fluid accumulates between the lung and the chest wall.  This fluid can cause shortness of breath. A Thoracentesis is a procedure which is done to drain the pleural effusion. 

A thoracentesis is NOT an operation and is frequently done as an outpatient, with a hospital stay which lasts only a few hours on average.

The location of the fluid can be determined by physical examination or occasionally by ultrasound or CTscan.  
 

 Procedure for a Thoracentsis

Local anesthetics are applied to numb the area.  A small needle is inserted into the space around the lung and the fluid is drained after the area has been anesthetized.  Coughing is common after the fluid has been drained as the lung expands.   After the procedure is done, a chest x-ray will be performed, and you will be discharged home if there are no problems.   

Complications of a thoracentesis are uncommon.  They include accidental collapse of the lung, pneumothorax, infection, and bleeding.