Our services

Inova Pulmonology diagnoses and manages a variety of pulmonary diseases. We offer onsite diagnostic evaluation and provide longitudinal follow-up care as indicated.

Common pulmonary conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, interstitial lung diseases, pleural effusion, pulmonary infections, pulmonary nodules and chronic cough. Sleep disorder care also falls within the field of pulmonary medicine and is offered at Inova.

Common questions regarding your treatment

  • Do you have questions about commonly prescribed therapies?
  • Can't remember how to use your inhaler or nebulizer?
  • Do you need to troubleshoot your oxygen delivery system?

Select a link below to read more about potential and common therapies that may be prescribed by your pulmonologist.

Common Pulmonary Conditions

Asthma

Asthma is a common disease of the airways. It is typically diagnosed through a patient history, a physical exam and pulmonary function testing. In many cases, imaging and lab work are indicated. Treatment may include inhalers, an asthma treatment plan and biologic therapy in some cases.

Bronchiectasis

This is a disease of the airways. Bronchiectasis refers to dilated or irregularly shaped airways that may be due to genetic (cystic fibrosis), infectious (nontuberculous mycobacterium or Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection), or other idiopathic or infectious causes. Diagnosis is based on a patient history, a physical exam, imaging, lab work and culture data in many cases. Bronchoscopy may be indicated. Treatment may include airway clearance, inhalers, and in some cases, antibiotics.

Chronic Cough

A chronic cough is many times due to a combination of causes. A careful patient history, a physical examination and empiric trial of therapy is many times indicated. On occasion, more invasive testing may be required, which may include bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy or imaging. Treatment may include inhalers, dietary modifications, allergy testing and/or treatment, and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (also known as GERD).

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease of the airways and includes emphysema as well as other obstructive lung diseases. Typically diagnosed by a patient history, a physical exam and pulmonary function testing. In many cases, imaging and lab work may be indicated. Treatment may include inhalers, oxygen if necessary and smoking cessation if indicated. There may be overlap with asthma as well as other pulmonary conditions.

Learn more about COPD

COVID-19

We are learning more every day about the pulmonary complications of COVID-19. Some patients may have post-COVID pulmonary embolism, and some patients develop post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis. Our physicians take a detailed history, review imaging and collaborate with our patients as advances are made in this area. Our physicians have been on the front lines of COVID-19 in Northern Virginia since the first case in our area in March 2020.

Interstitial Lung Diseases

These are diseases of the lung tissue itself. Sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia are but a few of the many diseases that are considered interstitial lung diseases. Your doctor may order a high-resolution CT scan of the chest, lab work and in some cases a lung biopsy to diagnose these conditions. Treatment may include immunosuppression and, in some cases, evaluation for a possible lung transplant.

Lung Cancer

Pulmonologists do not treat lung cancer but are an integral part of screening and diagnosing lung malignancy. Yearly screening CT scans are indicated for many patients, and our physicians perform endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscopy as well as navigational bronchoscopy to assist in the diagnosis and staging of suspected and known lung malignancies.

Many patients with lung cancers have COPD or emphysema or may develop pulmonary complications from their cancer treatments or from the cancer itself. We collaborate with oncologists, radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons to ensure the best outcome for each patient.

Learn more about the Inova Lung Cancer Screening Program

Pleural Effusion

This is a disease of the pleura, which is the lining surrounding the lung. Fluid can build up in the space between the lung's lining and the lining of the inside of the chest wall. This fluid can be due to benign or malignant causes. If indicated, a thoracentesis or chest tube drainage may be performed to analyze the fluid. Further interventions may be recommended, depending on the cause of the fluid buildup.

Pulmonary Infections

Common bacterial pneumonias, bronchitis and tuberculosis are examples of pulmonary infections. Fungal disease, atypical mycobacterial disease, and viral illnesses including influenza and COVID-19 are other examples of pulmonary infections. The physician may order lab work, imaging or microbiological evaluation to help in diagnosing. Patients may also require a more invasive test such as a bronchoscopy. Treatment may include antibiotics or antifungal therapy.

Pulmonary Nodules

Pulmonary nodules or "spots on the lung" are many times seen on a CT scan or a chest X-ray. They may represent benign disease or may be related to cancer. The doctor may order other testing, follow-up scans and/or biopsies if necessary to further evaluate these findings.

Pulmonary Vascular Diseases

Pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension are diseases related to the lungs' blood supply.

  • Pulmonary embolism, a blot clot that has traveled to the lungs, can be fatal and is many times diagnosed in the ER or hospital. Treatment for pulmonary embolism is typically blood thinners.
  • Pulmonary hypertension can have many causes and requires a full diagnostic evaluation, which can include laboratory testing, imaging and invasive testing such as cardiac catheterization. Treatment for pulmonary hypertension depends on the underlying cause.

Sleep Disorders

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. More complex sleep disorders may also occur and require a full patient history, a physical exam and polysomnogram to fully evaluate. Treatment may include continuous positive airway pressure (also called CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (also known as BiPAP), dental appliances and/or medications if insomnia or diseases such as narcolepsy are diagnosed.

Learn more about the Inova Sleep Disorders Program

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Inova Pulmonology offers the following diagnostics:

Also known as a methacholine challenge test, this is a type of pulmonary function test used to help determine the degree of airway reactivity. It can be used to help diagnose asthma.

This is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia in order for the airways to be examined and, in many cases, biopsies of abnormal lymph nodes or lung masses to be taken. A bronchoscopy procedure may include EBUS, transbronchial or endobronchial biopsies, electromagnetic navigation, or just a bronchoalveolar lavage specimen.

A cardiopulmonary stress test is an outpatient test supervised and interpreted by one of our physicians. It helps to understand the complex physiology that can explain persistent shortness of breath or activity intolerance after other testing has been already performed. A cardiac stress test as well as pulmonary maneuvers are measured during this test, which is done on a treadmill or stationary bike.

This is an X-ray picture of the chest and will be interpreted by the patient’s physician. This can help diagnose pneumonia, pneumothorax, pleural effusion and other common conditions. If required, a CT of the chest will be ordered and can be coordinated at the outpatient radiology center of your choice.

A polysomnogram is an overnight sleep study. If appropriate, you may be able to do this as a home sleep test, or you may be scheduled for an in-lab test. This test is used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and other complex sleep disorders.

Learn more about the Inova Sleep Disorders Program

The Inova Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is a medically supervised, therapeutic treatment program designed to help patients with pulmonary disease improve their quality of life and exercise capacity.

Learn more about Pulmonary Rehabilitation

PFTs are an integral part of a full pulmonary evaluation. This type of test is scheduled in our office and helps to determine the full health of the pulmonary system. Spirometry, lung volumes and diffusion capacities are all measured and interpreted by our physicians.

This is the gold standard test for determining a patient's oxygen requirements at rest and with activity. This test is performed on site, and the results are used to help determine the need for oxygen.

This is a short breathing test done to quickly assess the health of the lungs and the airways at the point of care. This is typically done for all patients at each visit.

This is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic to drain and analyze fluid that builds up in the pleural space (pleural effusion). Thoracic ultrasound is used to improve the safety of this procedure.

This is a type of ultrasound test that is performed by our physicians in our office – there is no pain or radiation. Ultrasound uses sound waves to visualize body structures. Pleural effusions, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax and pneumonias can be diagnosed using this modality. Ultrasound is also used in real time during a thoracentesis procedure