Pulmonary Function Testing
Case 11
A 36 year-old woman presents with a several month history of worsening dyspnea on exertion and exercise limitation. She is a life-long non-smoker and has no history of asthma or other known pulmonary diseases. She has had to stop going out with her weekly running group because she can no longer keep up with her friends.
Her pulmonary function testing is as follows:
| Pre-Bronchodilator (BD) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Actual | Predicted | % Predicted |
| FVC (L) | 0.88 | 3.34 | 26 |
| FEV1 (L) | 0.87 | 2.87 | 30 |
| FEV1/FVC (%) | 99 | 86 | |
| RV (L) | 1.61 | 1.40 | 115 |
| TLC (L) | 1.61 | 4.73 | 53 |
| RV/TLC (%) | 65 | 29 | |
| DLCO* corr | 20 | 26.6 | 75 |
| *DLCO is measured in ml/min/mmHg | |||
| Check abbreviations>> | |||
A flow-volume loop is not available for this case.
What other tests should you consider ordering on this patient?
Describe the pattern of abnormality, if one is present.
Grade the severity of the abnormality.
Generate a differential diagnosis for the observed abnormality.
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