Do You Need Pulmonary Testing?

Your pulmonologist (lung doctor) may order tests to diagnose lung conditions and diseases such as:

Pulmonary Tests

Your AnMed care team can perform a wide range of lung function tests that examine and check how well your lungs work. These noninvasive lung tests typically are not painful:

  • Chest X-ray – Looks at the heart, lungs, blood vessels, airways and bones in and around the chest to detect problems and check how well certain treatments are working
  • Echocardiogram – Measures how well blood flows through the heart to diagnose pulmonary hypertension
  • Exercise-induced bronchospasm evaluation – Detects changes in lung function triggered by exercise
  • Lung cancer screening – Looks for signs of lung cancer in current and former smokers
  • Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) – Measures respiratory muscle strength when breathing in and out
  • Methacholine challenge test – Evaluates how the lungs react to an inhaled irritant and helps doctors diagnose asthma
  • Pulmonary function tests:
    • Arterial blood gas (ABG) – Measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood
    • Lung diffusion capacity – Assesses how well oxygen gets into the blood when you breathe
    • Six-minute walk test – Measures exercise capacity of the lungs and monitors responses to lung treatments
    • Lung volume test – Measures how much air your lungs can hold
    • Spirometry – Measures how much air your lungs can hold and how quickly and forcefully you can blow air out
  • Pulse oximetry – Measures blood oxygen level to determine whether there is enough or more oxygen is needed

Pulmonary Procedures

You may also need a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure, such as:

  • Bronchoscopy – Slides a thin tube with a light and camera into the airways to show the inside
  • Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) – Combines bronchoscopy with ultrasound imaging for a clearer image of the airways
  • Lung biopsy – Removes a small lung tissue sample to examine it for cancer and other lung diseases
  • Navigational bronchoscopy – Uses computed tomography (CT) imaging and special software to map your airways and provide a quicker diagnosis
  • Right heart catheterization (pulmonary artery catheterization) – Guides a thin, flexible tube through a vein to take pressure measurements and blood samples in the lungs; sometimes done with nitric oxide administered to diagnose and evaluate for pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • Thoracentesis – Removes extra fluid from around the lungs

Get Screened

If you are a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about a lung cancer screening. It could save your life.

Advanced Robotic Lung Biopsies in Anderson, SC with the Ion Robot

At AnMed, you’ll benefit from advanced care using robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for minimally invasive lung biopsies. This outpatient procedure uses the Ion robot, a state-of-the-art system, to deliver faster, more precise, and accurate diagnoses. 

With this technology, you can expect earlier detection and treatment of lung cancer, leading to better outcomes. The Ion robot’s precision allows your care team to access even hard-to-reach areas, including very small nodules, without the need for a wait-and-see approach. 

You'll experience a higher level of care that’s designed to give you answers sooner and with confidence.

Anderson, SC - AnMed Ion Robotic Team