Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- Pulmonary function diagnostics [objectification of restrictive ventilation disorder and gas exchange disorder].
- Spirometry
- Whole-body plethysmography
- Diffusion measurement
- X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax/chest), in two planes.
- Computed tomography of the thorax/chest (thoracic CT); preferred here: high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT; slice thickness ≤ 2 mm); without contrast medium administration [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF): honeycomb pattern].
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; specimen collection method used as part of bronchoscopy (lung endoscopy)) – lavage of the lungs as part of bronchoscopy (lung endoscopy)Note: BAL can induce an exacerbation (acute worsening) of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Transbronchial biopsy-Tissue removal from the lungs during bronchoscopy.
- Echocardiography (echo; cardiac ultrasound) – when structural heart disease is suspected.
- Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal CT) – if abdominal organ involvement is suspected.
