Pulmonary Function Testing  

dkjalkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj a;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf
;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;ldkjalkd;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;klj
lkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj dkjalkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj a;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf
;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;ldkjalkd;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkj
lkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj a;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;lKJ
;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;lKJ
Back to top

Six Minute Walk
  
dkjalkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj a;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf
;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;ldkjalkd;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lk
lkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj dkjalkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj a;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf
;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;ldkjalkd;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lk
lkd;alkd;lakjd;lkjadasdfkj;alkfdj;lakjdf;lkjad;lkj a;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;lKJ
;dflkj;aldjkfl;akjd;lkjfa;ldkj;alfjkd;lkjf;adjk;alkdjf;aljkd;lajf;dlkjaf;ldkj;alkdj;aljkd;lkjad;lkjd;kljd;lKJ
Back to top

Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a technique used by members of our group and by Pulmonologists in general, to assist in the diagnosis and in some cases, the treatment of numerous pulmonary diseases.  Bronchoscopy is NOT an operation and is frequently done as an outpatient, with hospital stays frequently lasting only several hours.

Smaller in caliber but otherwise similar to endoscopes used by gastroenterologists, a bronchoscope is inserted into the trachea and larger bronchial tubes after intravenous sedation such has Morphine and Valium is administered to help patients relax and frequently sleep through the procedure.  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.

Bronchoscopy is useful in many ways, including: inspection of airways for possible sources of cough, retrieval of foreign bodies such as aspirated food, rinsing (called lavage) of infected or inflamed lungs to determine the cause of a pneumonia or shadow on an x-ray, CAT scan or other radiologic pictures; and for biopsy of abnormal lung tissue.
           
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. 
           
If you require bronchoscopy, you will not be able to eat or drink for multiple hours prior to the procedure.  In addition, you will need someone to drive you home.
Back to top

THORACENTESIS

            A pleural effusion occurs when fluid accumulates between the lung and the chest wall.  This fluid can cause shortness of breath. 

Thoracentesis is a procedure to determine the cause of pleural effusions or fluid surrounding the lung.  Thoracentesis can also be used to drain this pleural effusion. Thoracentesis is not an operation and is done as an outpatient with a short hospital stay.  The location of the fluid can be determined by physical exam or occasionally by ultrasound.  Local anesthetics are applied to numb the area.  Your physician will be standing behind you, explaining the procedure.  A small needle is inserted into the space around the lung and the fluid is drained after the area has been anesthetized. 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. 
Back to top

  OUR HISORY  |   OUR PHYSICIANS |  OUR SERVICES |   PULMONARY DISORDERS
  ADULT SLEEP DISORDERS |  PEDIATRIC SLEEP DISORDERS |  FORMS |   CONTACT US