Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I'm surprised I haven't heard more here having bronchoscopy lavage. Its widely listed as a method of diagnosis but sure was never mentioned to me as a choice. > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > Babs in Texas > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Bruce, funny I had it done 3x, I think. But if anything was found it wasn't shared with me, this was in the beginning before I knew enough to get copies. Kathie > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > Babs in Texas > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I was originally diagnosed from chest x-ray / hi resolution ct / Bronc. But it was suggested to have on open lung biopsy to determine cause of PF. I guess there is not enough tissue from a bronc to determine cause. But after open lung biopsy they still could not tell what caused it, so now they say IPF > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > Babs in Texas > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Bruce, From what I've read about Diagnostic Techniques & PF the Bronchosopy Lavage doesn't yield an adequate size sample to be conclusive for PF. GIO> >> > Jumping into the middle of this....> > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a> > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient.> > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a> > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large> > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF.> > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less> > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home> > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the> > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick> > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion...> > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you> > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives...> > > > Babs in Texas> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I know but then one doctor does many and one does none. I think it may vary too based on where the disease is. Mayo clinic actually says that in many cases, interstitial lung disease can be definitively diagnosed only by examining a small amount of lung tissue (biopsy). In a transbronchial biopsy, your doctor passes a flexible, fiber- optic tube (bronchoscope) through your mouth into your lungs and removes one or more tissue samples, each about the size of the head of a pin. Yet, I don't think doctors around here do it at all. I was told it was of no value. However, I think if the disease is very significant in the upper lobe it may sometimes get a decent sample. I don't know. Also, now they aren't even settling for a single sample in a VATS but getting three from at least two lobes. > > > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > > > Babs in Texas > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Clearing up a term too....bronchoscopy is a form of biopsy. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a different procedure. It is: In this procedure, your doctor injects salt water (saline) through a bronchoscope into a section of your lung, and then immediately suctions it out. The withdrawn solution contains cells from the air sacs. Although bronchoalveolar lavage samples a larger area of the lung than other procedures do, it may not provide enough information to diagnose a specific interstitial lung disease. Instead, doctors often use it to check the progress of a lung disorder or to help determine the best treatment. > > > >> > > > Jumping into the middle of this....> > > >> > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and > a> > > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient.> > > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give > a> > > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large> > > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF.> > > >> > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less> > > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went > home> > > > late afternoon and had no problems at all.> > > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may > be the> > > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a > sick> > > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion...> > > >> > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and > you> > > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives...> > > >> > > > Babs in Texas> > > >> > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Any Pulmo who doesn't mention it is being very remiss in their duties. It IS a viable alternative, and much less invasive. I suppose it was due to my many AI diseases, but it still should be presented to anyone who needs to have a biopsy. I'm sorry no one brought it up to you Bruce. We always seem to find these things out afterwards.... Babs > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > Babs in Texas > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 More likely, in America, it doesn't yield the doctor and hospital a big enough payday..... My samples were quite adequate and were the main factor in my diagnosis. My physician put my health before her wallet. That probably can't be said of too many doctors these days. At least here in America... Hugs and smiles, Babs in Texas > > > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > > > Babs in Texas > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Well, I think I mentioned it but he quickly dismissed it. Hard to remember what reasons he gave. I'm sure though that the natural leaning of doctors is the most likely guaranteed method. I think knowing all the facts, I still would have chosed the way I went but still would have liked to have had more discussion about it. > > > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > > > Babs in Texas > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Peggy, Good one! Any time I have to have to " sleep " for a procedure, even if it is dental, I ask for liposuction. Hasn't worked yet but I know someday ... oh well probably not lol Kathie > > > > Jumping into the middle of this.... > > > > My PF was diagnosed using CT scan, PFT's, 6 min. walk-test, and a > > bronchoscopy lavage, outpatient. > > I'm told that the samples from this are often too small to give a > > clear picture to the pathologist, but mine were apparently large > > enough as they could tell from the samples that I have PF. > > > > So, in my case, especially having auto-immune diseases, the less > > invasive procedure made sense. I went in at 7:30 a.m. and went home > > late afternoon and had no problems at all. > > However, I'm not an otherwise healthy person, so the VATS may be the > > best answer for some. I personally don't think digging into a sick > > persons lungs is a good idea. That's just MY opinion... > > > > Whatever is decided needs to be discussed and researched, and you > > should always ask the doctor about viable alternatives... > > > > Babs in Texas > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 i had a brochscopy back in 1995 to aid diagnosis ,with lavages etc they collected about 5 bottles of fluid but the quantities they said were insufficient for diagnosis. Geeta ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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