Ethan Rhodes
Lung tests, also known as pulmonary function tests (PFTs), are a group of tests that check how well your lungs are working. They are non-invasive and can help diagnose and monitor certain lung diseases. PFTs are usually carried out in a pulmonary function lab at an outpatient office or a hospital. There are several types of lung function tests, including spirometry, lung volume tests, lung diffusion capacity tests, and exercise tests. These tests can measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange, and help to diagnose conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, asthma, and COPD.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Test Type | Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), Lung Function Test, Imaging Test |
| Purpose | To check lung function, diagnose lung conditions, monitor treatment |
| Test Duration | 15-45 minutes |
| Preparation | Wear loose clothing, no heavy exercise or meals, avoid caffeine and tobacco |
| Test Procedure | Breathing through a mouthpiece, exercising on a stationary bike or treadmill, imaging scans |
| Risks | Lightheadedness, dizziness, tiredness, coughing, allergic reaction, collapsed lung |
| Results | Compared to predicted values based on age, height, sex, and race |
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What You'll Learn
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
There are several types of PFTs, and the test you undergo will depend on the information your healthcare provider is looking for. The most common type of PFT is spirometry, which uses a device called a spirometer to measure your airflow. Spirometry can also be used to diagnose lung diseases that affect the airways, such as COPD or asthma. During a spirometry test, you will be asked to inhale and exhale in different ways while wearing soft nose clips and a mouthpiece that is attached to the spirometer. You will be watched carefully during the test for dizziness, trouble breathing, or other problems.
Another type of PFT is plethysmography, where you sit or stand inside an airtight box to do the test. This test measures the amount of air your lungs can hold and can be more accurate than spirometry. Lung volume can also be measured using a technique called body plethysmography, where you breathe in a mixture of helium and oxygen inside a sealed chamber.
PFTs may also be performed as exercise tests, where you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bicycle while being monitored. These tests can measure how your body performs during physical activity and can also be used to check how much oxygen you need when active.
It is important to follow any instructions provided by your healthcare provider before a PFT to ensure accurate results. This may include wearing loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding heavy meals or exercise before the test, and refraining from using tobacco products.
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Imaging tests (e.g. X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
Lung imaging tests are crucial for evaluating the lungs, both anatomically and functionally, and they serve various purposes, such as establishing diagnoses, monitoring disease progression, and screening. Here is an overview of some commonly used imaging tests for the lungs:
Chest X-rays
X-rays are a fast and painless way to examine the structures in and around the chest. They can help diagnose conditions like pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, emphysema, and lung tissue scarring (fibrosis). X-rays are also useful for monitoring the effectiveness of treatments and checking for complications after procedures or surgeries. This test can be performed in a healthcare provider's office, clinic, or hospital, and the patient may be asked to stand, sit, or lie still during the procedure.
Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Scans
CT scans provide detailed images, or "slices," of the lungs and the inside of the chest. These images can be combined to create three-dimensional (3D) models, offering valuable information about the size, shape, and position of the lungs and surrounding structures. CT scans are particularly useful for investigating symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain and can help identify issues such as tumours, pleural effusion (excess fluid around the lungs), or pneumonia. This type of scan may be performed in a medical imaging facility or hospital, with the patient lying still on a table that slides into the scanner.
Chest Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans
MRI scans utilise radio waves, magnets, and computers to generate detailed images of the chest's internal structures. They are valuable for diagnosing a range of issues, including tumours, pleural disorders, blood vessel problems, and abnormal lymph nodes. MRI scans can also help clarify the results of other imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans. This type of imaging test may be carried out in a medical imaging facility or hospital, with the patient lying still on a table. In some cases, a contrast dye may be injected into a vein in the arm to highlight the heart and blood vessels.
Lung Scan
A lung scan is a nuclear imaging test that uses a tiny amount of radioactive material called a tracer to assess the function and structure of the lungs. It can be performed as a ventilation scan, which examines how air moves in and out of the lungs, or as a perfusion scan, which evaluates blood flow within the lungs. Lung scans are particularly useful for diagnosing blood clots or other small masses (emboli) in the lungs, as well as other lung conditions. The procedure involves the patient breathing through a face mask to collect the tracer gas in the lungs, followed by normal breathing to allow the tracer to leave the lungs gradually.
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Spirometry
During the test, soft clips will be placed on your nose to ensure that you breathe only through your mouth. You will then be asked to take a deep breath and blow forcefully into a mouthpiece attached to a spirometer, a machine that measures your airflow. The spirometer will measure the amount of air you blow out of your lungs and the amount you inhale back. You may need to repeat the test a few times to ensure accurate and reproducible results.
Before the test, your healthcare provider may ask you to stop taking any breathing medications for a short period and avoid certain activities, foods, and beverages. For example, you should not eat a large meal or smoke within 24 hours of the test. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing on the day of the test is also recommended.
The results of a spirometry test will be compared to typical scores for your demographic, including your age, height, and sex. This comparison will help determine if your lungs are functioning properly and identify any potential lung conditions. A specialist will review the results before sending them to your referring doctor, who will discuss them with you a few days later.
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Lung volume tests
During the test, you will be asked to breathe in a safe amount of carbon monoxide gas. You will then hold your breath for around 10 seconds before breathing out through a mouthpiece, which is connected to a spirometer. The spirometer will measure the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale, showing how much gas your lungs were able to absorb and move into your blood. Your blood pressure will also be measured, and you will be asked to rate any shortness of breath and fatigue you feel.
Before the test, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications, and to avoid heavy exercise, food, and caffeine. You should wear loose, comfortable clothing. The test usually takes between 15 and 45 minutes and is not painful. However, you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or tired from breathing hard.
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Blood tests
Another blood test is the lung diffusion capacity test, which assesses how efficiently oxygen moves from the air you breathe into your bloodstream. This test may also require a blood draw to measure hemoglobin levels in the blood.
Additionally, pulse oximetry is a blood oxygen level test that can be used to estimate oxygen levels in the blood. A probe is placed on the finger or another skin surface, such as the ear, to perform this non-invasive and painless test.
Complete blood count (CBC) tests are used to evaluate the condition of blood cells and check for anemia, while comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) tests measure chemical and electrolyte imbalances, as well as organ function.
Furthermore, pleural fluid analysis examines the causes of fluid accumulation in the pleural layer, which is the lining between the chest wall and lungs. This test helps determine if the fluid accumulation is due to cancer or infection.
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Frequently asked questions
Lung tests, also known as pulmonary function tests (PFTs), are a group of tests that check how well your lungs are working. They are non-invasive and can help diagnose and monitor certain lung diseases.
During a PFT, you will breathe through a mouthpiece connected to a device that makes different types of measurements. You may also be attached to monitors and machines that will measure your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels.
You should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and avoid eating a large meal within at least two hours of the test. You may also need to avoid certain activities or foods and beverages before your test, and your provider will instruct you on how long to do so for.
