Consultation on General Pulmonology

General pulmonology (other terms - pneumology or pneumonology) covers a wide range of bronchi, lungs, pleura and mediastinum.

In particular, these include:

- bronchial asthma;

- chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive bronchitis;

- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

- pulmonary tuberculosis;

- emphysema;

- pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries);

- pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura);

- mucoviscidosis (cystic fibrosis);

- Lung fibrosis;

- pulmonary embolism;

- interstitial lung disease (lung tissue disorders).

Malignant pulmonary conditions are usually the subject of a specific consultation.

Diagnostics

A wide variety of tests are used to diagnose the above-mentioned issues. For remote  pulmonology consultations, the most significant are imaging diagnostics, functional tests, endoscopy, and laboratory test findings.

Area-specific Imaging techniques include chest X-rays, sonography (ultrasound), computed tomography (or in some cases magnetic resonance imaging), PET-CT, and lung scintigraphy. All of them produce images of the respiratory organs in the format and volume relevant for a particular disease. For a distant evaluation, it is advisable to provide them as scans rather than descriptions.

To functional pulmonology examinations refer, for example, spirography, plethysmography, and pulmonary function tests. They help to assess the functioning of the respiratory tract organs.

Bronchoscopy (i.e., endoscopic examination of the airways) is used not only to visualize the mucosa of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, but also to study its samples at a pathology lab. For a second opinion, a written report is usually sufficient. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to revise the results of histology/immunohistochemical testing.

Blood tests (e.g., inflammatory or tumor marker values, antibodies), microbiological examination of oropharyngeal or nasal secretions, and other laboratory diagnostics are also an important part of a pulmonology examination.

Treatment

Respiratory diseases therapy is varied and depends on both the cause of a disorder and the individual situation. Antibiotics, antiparasitic drugs, corticosteroids or other substances affecting the immune system may be used.

Therapeutic interventions are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of pulmonary conditions. These are minimally invasive (endoscopic) procedures, which are now performed not only to remove the obstructing mucosa or stop bleeding, but also to reduce lung volume (in COPD) or radiofrequency treatment in bronchial asthma. In the case of malignant masses, surgery is usually the key method.

In many issues pertaining to general pulmonology, there may be more than one treatment option. Therefore, it is always worth getting another opinion from a qualified pulmonologist before making a decision, which can help to make the right choice.