Spirometry Spirometry is the best test to assess lung function. It often is used to evaluate a person who has a chronic cough and sputum (mucus) production and a history of risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or Asthma, even if shortness of breath is not present. It is also used to find…

Thoracentesis Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest How the Test is Performed A small area of skin on your back is cleaned. Numbing medicine (local anesthetic) is injected in this area. A needle is placed through…

6 Minute Walk Test A 6-minute walk test is generally done at the start of a pulmonary rehabilitation program or to evaluate a patient OF ILD or for lung surgery. The test measures the distance a patient can walk quickly on a flat, hard surface in 6 minutes and reflects an individual’s ability to perform…

Bronchoscopies Diagnostic & Therapeutic Bronchoscopy Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows us to look at your airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, we will examine your throat, larynx, trachea and lower airways. Bronchoscopy may be done to diagnose problems with the airway, the lungs, or with the lymph nodes…

Thoracoscopy What is thoracoscopy? Thoracoscopy is a procedure  used to look inside the chest cavity. This is done with a thoracoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a light and a small video camera on the end. The tube is put in through a small cut made near the lower end of the shoulder blade between the…

Sleep Study A sleep study or polysomnogram (PSG) is a test that electronically transmits and records specific physical activities while you sleep. The recordings become data that a qualified sleep specialist analyzes to figure out if you have a sleep disorder. There are four kinds of sleep studies. Diagnostic overnight PSG is general monitoring of sleep and a variety of body functions during…