Department of Medicine

Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care

Special Services

The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, & Critical Care Medicine offers the latest diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services, including the following:

SPUTUM INDUCTION This new non-invasive test provides rapid diagnosis of pneumocystis carinii (PCP) lung infection, pulmonary tuberculosis and other lung conditions. It also provides high-quality specimens for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

NASAL CPAP A ventilator with a specially fitted mask provides continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) through the nose, opening air passages and preventing blockage of air movement into and out of the lungs. The patient with sleep apnea breathes easier with nasal CPAP and can sleep without disruption.

BiPAP Like CPAP, BiPAP utilizes a mask ventilator to provide airway pressure. But BiPAP delivers two different pressures - one for air moving into the lungs and another pressure, usually lower, for air moving out of the lungs. BiPAP is used for patients with restrictive or obstructive disorders, and for patients with sleep apnea who cannot tolerate the high pressure of CPAP.

BRONCHOSCOPY Bronchoscopy allows physicians to look inside the lungs and bronchial tubes through a small tube placed through the mouth or nose. It is very helpful in diagnosing cancer, pneumonia, and bleeding in the lung. It frequently eliminates the need for surgery to make a diagnosis.

EXERCISE LUNG STRESS TEST This test measures heart, lung, and muscle function during exercise. It is most useful in determining why it is difficult to exercise or what the causes of shortness of breath may be during exercise.

ESOPHAGEAL pH PROBE MONITORING This test involves the placement of catheters in the esophagus for measuring acidity. It allows physicians to determine when gastrointestinal, cardiac or respiratory symptoms such as a cough, chest pain or heartburn are due to gastroesophageal reflux, a condition in which stomach contents back up into the esophagus.