Pulmonary fibrosis is still a bit of a mystery to the medical world so its diagnosis is a bit lengthy and usually involves a few different procedures. There are three different types of diagnostic tests, which include the categories of imaging, lung function, and tissue sampling. All of these types of tests look at one’s lungs, how they are working, and if they have any scaring.
X-rays and CT scans are the main types of imaging tests done for pulmonary fibrosis. A CT scan is when they use a computer to put together a ton of X-rays to make a 3 dimensional image of a part of someone’s body. A doctor can normally see the scarring on someone’s lungs with an X-ray or CT scan but sometimes the images look normal so further tests are needed to figure out if someone truly does have pulmonary fibrosis.
Normal
Pulmonary Fibrosis
The second type of test done to find out if someone has pulmonary fibrosis is lung function. With lung function tests they are just looking at how well your lungs are working. One type of lung function test they use is called a pulmonary function test. With this test they are looking at how much air one is able to exhale. The other type of test is oximetry. With oximetry they put a small device on your finger and test the oxygen saturation of your blood. With this test they will normally have you try exercising while wearing the device too to see how well your lungs can keep up when you’re exercising.
The last type of test is a biopsy or tissue sample. This is the most reliable form of testing but also the most invasive. It’s the only form of testing that allows you to decisively diagnose pulmonary fibrosis as well. While all of the forms of tissue sample are the same, the only difference is how you get the sample. There are three different ways to obtain the sample. The least invasive is a bronchoscope where they go down into the patient’s lungs and just pull out a very small amount of tissue. The second method is called a Broncho alveolar lavage, which is where they spray salt water into the lungs with the bronchoscope then suction up the fluid. The third and final method is through surgery. This is the most intrusive method but it is also the best way to get a large sample.
The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is extremely varied depending on the type and on the person. Sometimes it will progress slowly and sometimes it will progress extremely quickly. It really depends on the person. When it does progress though, it is because your lungs are becoming more and more scarred.
References:
Pulmonary fibrosis. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20029091
How Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Diagnosed? (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2015, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ipf/diagnosis
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