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What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?
Question: What is the best way to diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis from toxic mold exposures?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
In diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis, there are several modalities used:
A thorough history is the first step:
Is the patient chronically exposed to dusts and molds, such as a farmer?
Is there progressively increasing difficulty breathing?
Depending on if hypersensitivity pneumonitis is suspected, the next step would be:
A chest xray or CT (depending on how severe the symptoms are) which can show scarring.
A lung function (breathing capacity) test.
Blood tests for inflammatory cells.
If there is a very high suspicion, then a lung tissue biopsy.
I'm including two articles here that might help provide more information that you are looking for.
The first article explains the types of recommended tests:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hp/diagnosis
The second article explains the difficulty in knowing when a XXXXXXX (bronchial alveolar levage)/lung biopsy is necessary: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200301-137OC#.WBeftneZM_k
I hope this information helps.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
In diagnosing hypersensitivity pneumonitis, there are several modalities used:
A thorough history is the first step:
Is the patient chronically exposed to dusts and molds, such as a farmer?
Is there progressively increasing difficulty breathing?
Depending on if hypersensitivity pneumonitis is suspected, the next step would be:
A chest xray or CT (depending on how severe the symptoms are) which can show scarring.
A lung function (breathing capacity) test.
Blood tests for inflammatory cells.
If there is a very high suspicion, then a lung tissue biopsy.
I'm including two articles here that might help provide more information that you are looking for.
The first article explains the types of recommended tests:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hp/diagnosis
The second article explains the difficulty in knowing when a XXXXXXX (bronchial alveolar levage)/lung biopsy is necessary: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200301-137OC#.WBeftneZM_k
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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