Pulmonology Tests

Pulmonary Function Test

Pulmonary function tests measure how well the lungs inhale, exhale and move oxygen to the blood. Patients breathe into a mouthpiece, which is connected to a machine called a spirometer. The spirometer measures and records the amount of air a person breathes in and out. Pulmonary function tests may be used to diagnose lung disease, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or shortness of breath. They also help detect problems caused by inhaling contaminants in the workplace. Examples of pulmonary function tests are spirometry, oxygen diffusion test (DLCO) and thoracic gas volume test (TLC).

Spirometry

People with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have problems moving air in and out of their lungs due to tightening muscles or swelling in the breathing passages. Spirometry measures the amount of air in your lungs and the time it takes to empty that air out of your lungs.We compare your test results with the average population accounting for age, sex and height. If your air passages are narrowed due to swelling or tightening muscles, it will take longer to empty the air from your lungs than the predicted average. The bigger the difference, the more severe your breathing problems are. If needed, we can give you medication that relaxes the muscles in the breathing passages, then conduct the test again. If we measure an improvement, this helps your doctor know the right medication to prescribe for you.

Oxygen Diffusion Test (DLCO)

Oxygen diffusion testing measures how well oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood. This is called the "diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide" or DLCO. Through a mouthpiece, patients inhale a very small amount of carbon monoxide. After holding their breath for 10 seconds, they exhale quickly. The exhaled gas is measured to determine how much carbon monoxide was absorbed. Oxygen diffusion testing is used to diagnose a variety of lung diseases.

Arterial Blood Gas Test

An arterial blood gas test measures how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in the blood. This helps determine how well the lungs are working, or how well they are moving oxygen into the blood and taking carbon dioxide out of the blood. To conduct this test, a blood sample is drawn from a patient's artery and studied in the lab. Arterial blood gas tests are often done on people hospitalized for a serious injury or illness.

Thoracic Gas Volume Test (TLC)

Thoracic gas volume testing measures the amount of air in the lungs (total lung capacity or TLC). It is a very sensitive test, allowing doctors to gather data that might not be detected in other pulmonary testing. Patients sit inside an airtight booth called a plethsymograph and breathe through a mouthpiece that measures pressure and airflow. Thoracic gas volume tests can help diagnose lung diseases, evaluate lung health before surgery, or monitor breathing problems caused by pollution in the workplace.

Exercise Asthma Challenge

An exercise asthma challenge test is a pulmonary function test (spirometry) conducted before and after a patient exercises on a treadmill. It measures the effect physical activity has on the lungs' ability to take in and release air. This test may be used to diagnose asthma or to detect asthma symptoms caused by workplace pollutants.

Methacholine Challenge

A methacholine challenge test is used to diagnose asthma when other tests and symptoms do not confirm the suspicion of asthma. It is more commonly done in adults than children. Methacholine is a substance that causes the airways to contract if asthma is present. Patients inhale a methacholine mist and breathe through a mouthpiece connected to a spirometer, which measures lung function. A reversing agent is given afterwards to open the airways.

Six-Minute Walk Oxygen Saturation Test (Pulse Oximetry)

An oxygen saturation test, or pulse oximetry, monitors a patient's pulse and the amount of oxygen in the blood. In the six-minute walk test, a patient walks on a treadmill while wearing a small finger clip monitor. This test measures breathing function during movement.

H. Pylori Breath Test

H. Pylori is a bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers. A breath test can be used to detect H. Pylori in a person's body. The patient swallows a pill with water, then breathes into a balloon. The air inside the balloon is examined in our laboratory to determine if the bacteria are present.