The next steps might include an x-ray of the lungs and of the sinus cavity if necessary. A bronchoscopy, a process where a tube in inserted down the throat and into the lungs can be used both to look around inside the lungs or to take a biopsy of a piece of the lung for analysis. If the diagnosis is still unclear, there are pulmonary function tests that evaluate the functioning of the lungs. The Methacoline Challenge test involves measuring pulmonary function after using a stationary bike or a treadmill. A Cat Scan of the lungs can be used to see the condition of the lungs, whether damage has occurred at some point.
Pulmonary complications seem to be inextricably tied to sinus conditions.
Dr. Huang describes it as a ping-pong ball model. Sinus flare-ups affect congestion of the lungs. This provides a reservoir for infections to grow. The lungs have hairs that work to work bacteria out of the lungs and the sinus drainage makes that difficult. The approach in treatment, then is to tackle both the sinus problems and well as the pulmonary dysfunction.