Further Investigations

Question 1

Diffusing capacity (DLCO):

What does it measure?

What does a low value suggest?

What does a high value suggest?

Answer 1

Gas transfer in the lung

Looks at diffusing capacity of CO

Low = emphysema

High - interstitial lung disease

Question 2

Lung function tests:

TLC and RV - what do they stand for?

Why can they be used to identify obstructive disease?

Answer 2

Total lung capacity
Residual volume

There is hyperinflation due to the obstructive disease which means TLC and RV is increased.

Question 3

Flow volume loops:

What does it measure?

Answer 3

Looks at flow at various lung volumes

Question 4

Radiology:

When are USS used?

When are V/Q scans used?

When are PET scans used?

When are CT scans used?

When is a CT pulmonary angiography?

Answer 4

Diagnosing and guiding drainage of pleural effusions and empyema (pockets of pus)

Used for PE’s

Cancer and inflammation

Diagnosis and staging of lung cancer

Used to diagnosis a PE

Question 5

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy - what is this used for?

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) - what is it?

Answer 5

Fluid squirted into a small part of the lung

Collected and used to diagnose lung diseases

Question 6

When is a lung biopsy done?

Answer 6

To look for lung and pleural lesions