[jodie1]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody could tell me whether a bronchoscopy which involves looking at the airways and lungs through a thin tube with a camera is of any assistance in diagnosing lupus ( assuming that the lungs are affected)?

Thanks,
Jodie

 

[KarolH]

Jodie,

I am new to Lupus so don't quote me but I would say YES, it can help in the dx.

If a chest x ray or CT scan can then I am guessing so can the scope.

Do you have a scope planned?

 

[Maia]

I've not heard of this helping with a lupus diagnosis... but it is of great help in a sarcoidosis diagnosis though and many other things of course too. What symptoms have brought them to the decision to run this test on you - have they explained the reasons why they want to do the bronchoscopy & what they hope to "gain" by running the test?

Good luck with the test and I hope it brings you some answers and solutions soon!

 

[Raglet]

If they are just looking at the tissue, then I doubt that it would help.

If they are intending to biopsy (no clues here, just thinking aloud) then I would guess that then it could help with dx as it may pinpoint the source of any problems that they find. I am just thinking that with kidney's, skin, etc, they actually biopsy which can dx lupus.

Best thing to do is to ask the doctor about this one

cheers

raglet

 

[jodie1]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I am waiting for an appointment for a bronchoscopy. I have had long term symptoms of facial rash, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint aches, brainfog etc. and more recently coughing up minor amounts of blood, breathlessness, tachycardia and a slight fever. ( am having other tests for lupus or an infection as well). My doctor wasn't really clear about what benefit the bronchoscopy would be for my diagnosis, although sarcoidosis may be a possibility. From the Internet it often seems to be used for lung cancer diagnosis but I think my risk of that is very low, and not really worth doing a bronchoscopy for.

Thanks for your help,

Jodie