ABOUT SERVICES PATIENT INFO RESOURCES CONTACT PATIENT ACCESS Our Services NVPCCA diagnoses and manages a variety of pulmonary diseases. We offer on site diagnostic evaluation, perform procedures as necessary at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus and provide longitudinal follow up as indicated. Common pulmonary conditions include: asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung diseases, pleural effusion, pulmonary infections, pulmonary nodules and chronic cough. Sleep disorders is also a field of pulmonary medicine and offered at NVPCCA. Please click on the following links to learn more about these and other pulmonary conditions. PULMONARY DIAGNOSTICS | COMMON THERAPIES Asthma This is a common disease of the airways. Typically diagnosed by a history, exam, pulmonary function testing. In many cases imaging and labwork are indicated. Treatment may include inhalers, an asthma treatment plan and in some cases, biologic therapy. MORE >> Pleural Effusion This is a disease of the pleura, which is the lining which surrounds 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 build up. Bronchiectasis This is a a disease of the airways. Bronchiectasis refers to dilated or irregularly shaped airways that may be due to genetic (cystic fibrosis), infectious (non-tuberculous mycobacterium or MAC infection) or other idiopathic or infectious causes. Diagnosis is based on history, exam, imaging and in many cases labwork and culture data. Bronchoscopy may be indicated. Treatment may include airway clearance, inhalers, in and in some causes antibiotics. MORE >> Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) This is a common disease of the airways and includes emphysema as well as other obstrucitve lung diseases. Typically diagnosed by a history, exam, pulmonary function testing and in many cases imaging and labwork may be indicated. Treatment may include inhalers, oxygen if necessary, smoking cessation if indicated. There may be overlap with asthma as well as other pulmonary conditions. MORE >> Sleep Disorders Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. More complex sleep disorders may also occur and require a full history, exam and polysomnogram to fully evaluate. Treatment may include CPAP, BIPAP, dental appliances and/or medications if insomnia or diseases such as narcolepsy are diagnosed. MORE >> Pulmonary Infections Common bacterial pneumonias, bronchitis and tuberculosis are examples of pulmonary infections. Fungal disease, atypical mycobacterial disease as well as viral illnesses including influenza and COVID 19 are other examples of pulmonary infections. Your doctor may order labwork, imaging or microbiological evaluation to help in diagnosing. You may require a more invasive test such as a bronchoscopy. Treatment may include antibiotics or antifungal therapy. Pulmonary Nodules Pulmonary nodules or "spots on your lung" are many times seen on a CT scan or a chest xray. They may represent benign disease or may be related to a possible malignant disease process. Your doctor may order other testing, follow-up scans and/or biopsies if necessary to further evaluate these findings. Lung Cancer Pulmonologists do not treat lung cancer but are an integral part in screening and diagnosing lung malignancy. Yearly screening CT scans are indicated for many patients and our physicians perform EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) 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 their cancer itself. We collaborate with oncologists, radiation oncologists and thoracic surgeons to ensure the best outcome for each patient. MORE >> Chronic Cough A chronic cough is many times due to a combination of causes. A careful history, 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 GERD. MORE >> Interstitial Lung Diseases These are diseases of the tissue of the lung 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, labwork and in some cases a lung biopsy to diagnose these conditions. Treatment may include immunosuppression and in some cases, need for transplant evaluation. MORE >> COVID-19 COVID 19 is a novel human coronavirus, discovered in 2019 and causing a global pandemic and millions of lives lost. We are learning more every day about the pulmonary complications of this viral syndrome. Some patients may have post COVID pulmonary embolism, some patients develop post COVID pulmonary fibrosis. Your doctor will take a detailed history. review your imaging and collaborate with you as advances are made in this area. Our physicians have been on the frontline of COVID 19 in Northern Virginia since the first case in our area in March 2020. MORE >> Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension are diseases related to the pulmonary blood supply. Pulmonary embolism can be fatal and is many times diagnosed in the ER or hospital. 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 embolism is typically blood thinners. Treatment for pulmonary hypertension depends on the underlying cause. MORE >> Northern Virginia Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates also offers the following diagnostics: Bronchial Provocation Testing 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 as an adjunct to diagnose asthma. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) 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. MORE >> Spirometry 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. Thoracentesis 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. MORE >> Thoracic Ultrasound This is a type of ultrasound test which 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. Polysomnogram (PSG) 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 in the Woodburn Sleep Disorders Lab. This test is used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea and other complex sleep disorders. MORE >> Bronchoscopy 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 (endobronchial ultrasound), transbronchial or endobronchial biopsies, electromagnetic navigation or just a bronchoalveolar lavage specimen. Our procedural physicians perform these procedures at the Interventional Pulmonary Suite at IFMC. MORE >> 6-Minute Walk 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 will be used to help determine the need for oxygen. MORE >> Chest X-ray This is an x ray picture of the chest. This test is performed on site at our Woodburn location and will be interpreted by your 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. Cardiopulmonary Stress Test (CPET) A cardiopulmonary stress test or CPET is an outpatient stress test done in the Pulmonary Diagnostics Suite at IFMC and 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 either on a treadmill or stationary bike. 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? Please click below to read more about potential and common therapies that may be prescribed by your pulmonologist. INHALERS MORE >> OXYGEN THERAPY MORE >> PULMONARY REHABILITATION MORE >> BIOLOGIC INJECTIONS MORE >> Our offices are open and all patients are seen by appointment only. We are accepting a limited number of telehealth appointments by video conferencing technology at this time. Masks or face coverings are required at all times, including for vaccinated patients, except for during pulmonary function and spirometry testing. Please call our office at 703 641 8616 or click here to schedule an appointment. 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