Pulmonary Function Testing: Techniques and Interpretation Workshop

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Hajed Alotaibi, PhD, RRT
Date: Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Time: 14:30-19:00
Meeting Room: AL MAASA

CONDUCTED BY:
GENERAL:

• Attendance is limited to 30 participants.
• Pre-registration is required, seats are limited, will be reserved on first come first served basis
• Registration is FREE for all who register for the GulfThoracic Congress 2017, please present your congress badge. (Note: Students are not eligible for the pre-congress workshops.)

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this workshop, participants are expected to:

• Understand basic physiology underpinning pulmonary function tests.
• Perform basic spirometry, and assess acceptability and repeatability of the test.
• Perform lung volume measurement test
• Perform lung diffusion capacity (DLco) test
• In clinical contexts, assess and interpret PFT results

TARGET AUDIENCE:

• Pulmonologists
• Respiratory Therapists
• Residents
• PFT Technologists
• General Practitioners

RATIONALE:
Pulmonary function test (PFT) has been the mainstay diagnostic and monitoring tool of airway and parenchymal diseases. Pulmonary function studies help to establish diagnosis and guide decisions for further treatments or interventions. There are array of PFT methods ranging from simple measurements of volume and flow to advanced measurement of gas diffusion capacity. Treatment and protocols for many pulmonary diseases emphasize the importance of PFT as a diagnostic tool. Therefore, Knowledge of PFT techniques and interpretation are essential for clinicians working with pulmonary patients

SUMMARY:
In the last years endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has revolutionized the world of bronchoscopy. EBUS is a minimally invasive technique that allows visualization of tracheabronchial wall structures and other structures adjacent the airway such as blood vessels or lymphadenopathy. There are two types of EBUS: Linear and Radial. The linear EBUS consists of several transductors forming a curve in the distal extreme of the flexible bronchoscope that generate an image of 50 degrees in relation to the major axis of the bronchoscope, which allows for a punction to be directly observed in real time. The radial EBUS consists of a rotatory transductor in the distal extreme of a miniprobe that generates an image of 360 degrees around the major axis of the bronchoscope, but does not allow for real-time samples. The main indication of the radial EBUS is the diagnosis of peripheral lung opacities. EBUS should be considered as a primary method of evaluation of lymph nodes seen to be positive in PET scan and may replace the majority of surgical mediastinal staging/diagnostic procedures. Linear EBUS has become the heart of N lung cancer staging, avoiding the comorbidity and comorbility of mediastinoscopy. Nevertheless, pulmonologistsshould remain competent in performing conventional TBNA as a supplementary skill that is needed especially in the absence of newer technology at local hospitals.