Can doctors use sputum samples to determine what is growing in the bottom of my lungs?

Answer by  JohnG31 (47)

Sputum samples can give an indication if their is any bacterial presence in your lungs. However, chest x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans can tell if there infiltrates or masses. Sputum will ID the agent.

Answer by  Anonymous

Yes! They can I have had shortness of breath along with 2 nodules that havent grown or changed in the last year but my pulmonologist did a bronchoscopy and found that i have aspergillos in my lungs and also there is a history of lung cancer with my mother.

Answer by  typist (63)

Quite right! Sputum from your lungs will contain traces of any invasive bacteria present. Therefore, using a culture, organisms present in your sputum are grown and identified in a laboratory.

Answer by  angiem1981 (1059)

This will depend on what is growing inside your lungs. Sputum may reveal this, but if nothing turns up there is alternate testing.

Answer by  Vanasatchy (816)

Doctors can determine what is growing in the bottom of ones lungs by using sputum as sample because with its help one cane easily find out what bacteria has affected the lungs. f bacteria is found in the lungs it may cause amenia or liver problem. So if one has pain near the chest or below it this test is useful.