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Alta Bates Summit Pulmonary Evaluation and Diagnostic Services

Perhaps the only thing worse than having chest pain or difficulty breathing is not knowing why you have it. Getting the right diagnosis is critical because it’s easy to mistake respiratory conditions for a cold or cough. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center offers several services to identify disorders and start you on a treatment plan.

Asthmatic woman holding inhaler

Featured Services

  • Chest CT Scans
  • Chest X-Rays
  • Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
  • Lung Scan
  • Pulmonary Function Testing

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Evaluation and Diagnostic Services within the Sutter Health network

The Sutter Health network has doctors and services in more than 100 California cities.

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    Diagnosing Your Pulmonary Condition

    When you are experiencing a breathing problem, an accurate and timely diagnosis is essential to creating a treatment plan that will improve your health and help you feel better.

    In the Sutter Health network, respiratory specialists offer a wide range of diagnostic services to identify pulmonary disorders and start you on the road to recovery. Here are some of the tests we offer.

    Pulmonary Function Tests

    Many different tests are used to evaluate pulmonary function. These tests can focus on:

    • How well your lungs can take in and release air
    • What may be causing breathing difficulties
    • The severity of a known lung disease
    • Effectiveness of a treatment plan

    Spirometry and peak airflow tests are among the most commonly used pulmonary function tests, which measure how fast and how much air you can breathe in and out.

    Doctor measuring patient's lungs using peak flow air test

    These tests can also be used to differentiate between an obstructive lung disease, such as COPD, and a restrictive lung disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis.

    Ambulatory Oximetry Monitoring

    This test measures the oxygen level in your blood during movement. It tells your doctor if you need oxygen therapy at home.

    Blood Gas Tests

    These tests measure the oxygen level in your blood in one of two ways. A sample of your blood is drawn and sent to a lab to be analyzed, which is called an arterial blood gas test. Or, a small device is used to measure your oxygen level in a pulse oximetry test, which does not require a needle. Pulse oximeters are also used to monitor oxygen saturation during an overnight saturation study.

    Bronchoprovocation Testing

    This inhalation challenge test measures how sensitive your airways are by repeatedly measuring your breathing while you exercise, breathe in cold air, are exposed to allergens, or breathe in the chemical methacholine.

    Pulmonary Stress Testing

    During exercise, this test evaluates your cardiovascular and respiratory systems at different levels of activity. Sometimes bronchoprovocation testing is also included to measure the sensitivity of your airways. The results from cardiopulmonary stress testing will show your doctor how your heart and lungs work together, and help differentiate between each of their limitations during exercise.

    Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

    A diagnostic bronchoscopy imaging test allows your doctor to view inside your airways and lungs. If you are having problems breathing or have a persistent cough or infection, your doctor may order this test to help diagnose the problem or collect a tissue sample for further analysis. Doctors also use minimally invasive bronchoscopy techniques to treat lung conditions. See Interventional Pulmonology.

    Diagnostic CT Screening

    A diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scan in the Radiology Department uses X-rays to create 3-D images of the lungs. This test may be used to get a clear view of the chest area and look for infection, fluid or blood clots in the lungs.

    High Altitude Simulation Test

    This test measures the oxygen in your blood while you wear a mask and breathe in a mixture of gases that simulate the atmosphere inside a pressurized airplane cabin. Your doctor may perform this test to see if you will need more oxygen while traveling by airplane or if you are going to a location with a high altitude.

    Low Dose Screening CT

    During this screening test done in the Radiology Department, your body is scanned and low doses of radiation are used to make detailed images of your lungs. This test is typically used to screen for lung cancer in high-risk individuals. 

    PET Scan

    During a lung PET scan, a radiology technician injects a small amount of a radioactive substance into a vein in your arm. The PET scan tracks how quickly areas of your lungs absorb the substance, which indicates how well your lungs and surrounding tissues are working. The results are 3-D computer images that help your radiologist look for disease and get a more detailed view of your lungs.

    Ultrasound

    Also called ultrasonography, ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of your organs, blood vessels and other structures in your body. Your doctor may recommend this test to check for fluid or other abnormalities in your lungs and chest area.

    Ventilation Perfusion Lung Screening

    This test uses small doses of radioactive substances to measure how well air circulates and blood flows through your lungs. Your doctor may use this test to look for blood clots in the lungs.

    Patient Information

    Female doctor listening to patient's lungs

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    In Your Corner

    Female doctor listening to young male patient's lungs

    Interventional Pulmonary Treatment

    It can be scary to learn something is blocking your airways or interfering with your lung function – but you don’t have to face it alone. We offer compassionate and comprehensive care to treat your lung-related condition and improve your overall health.

    Smoking Research

    Sutter Health Smoking Research
    Tobacco is highly addictive and dangerous. Besides lung cancer, smoking can also cause heart disease, stroke, cataracts, and, in pregnant women who smoke, it’s linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). One out of five Americans dies of tobacco-related disease, so it’s important to find ways to prevent tobacco use and help people quit.

    Sutter Health Smoking Research Sutter Health Smoking Research

    Doctor Profiles

    The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
    Elliot L. Naidus, M.D.

    Elliot L. Naidus, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    James K. Gude, M.D.

    James K. Gude, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Ken Stern, M.D.

    Ken Stern, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Elizabeth A. Yu, M.D.

    Elizabeth A. Yu, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Donna D. Tigno, M.D.

    Donna D. Tigno, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Arash Minaie, D.O.

    Arash Minaie, D.O.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Mehran Farid-Moayer, M.D., FAASM

    Mehran Farid-Moayer, M.D., FAASM

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Merrill R. Nisam, M.D.

    Merrill R. Nisam, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    Leena Jalota, M.D.

    Leena Jalota, M.D.

    • Pulmonary Disease

    View All Related Doctors

    Services Near You

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    2001 Dwight Way

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    (510) 204-6493

    Magnetic Imaging Affiliates

    Magnetic Imaging Affiliates

    5730 Telegraph Avenue

    Oakland, CA 94609

    (510) 204-2744

    Alta Bates Campus Diagnostic Imaging

    Alta Bates Campus Diagnostic Imaging

    2450 Ashby Avenue

    Berkeley, CA 94705

    (510) 204-1566

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Summit Campus

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Summit Campus

    350 Hawthorne Avenue

    Oakland, CA 94609

    (510) 655-4000

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Alta Bates Campus

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Alta Bates Campus

    2450 Ashby Avenue

    Berkeley, CA 94705

    (510) 204-4444

    Alta Bates Summit Imaging

    Alta Bates Summit Imaging

    3100 Summit Street

    Ground Floor

    Oakland, CA 94609

    (510) 869-8800

    View All Related Locations

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