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What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Nov 2016
Question: What is the best way to diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis from toxic mold exposures?
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
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.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

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.