Living Well With NTM Living Well With NTM

Diagnosing NTM Diagnosis is often delayed. Symptoms are similar to other lung diseases, such as: • • • COPD bronchitis bronchiectasis When NTM infection is suspected, diagnosis is not difficult. A lab test can easily identify NTM. It can also identify which species is causing the disease. The species will affect the type of treatment. What to Expect If diagnosed with NTM lung disease, you may never have symptoms. It may take many years to see symptoms. Once they appear, treatment may not completely How NTM Lung Disease is Diagnosed A typical evaluation by your doctor will include: • Detailed Medical History. If your doctors know your medical history, it may help them discover other lung conditions. • • Physical Examination. relieve all of them. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for good outcomes. • Chest X-Ray and CT Scan. A chest X-ray may provide the first hint that NTM are present. A CT scan shows more detail that can help confirm NTM. The CT scan can show the presence of small nodules. These are sometimes referred to as “tree-in-bud” because they look branch-like. The CT scan can also identify cavities, or holes in the lung, which represent a more destructive form of infection. Sputum Culture. A sputum sample (also known as mucus or phlegm) is sent to a lab to test for NTM and identify the species. This helps with a targeted treatment. You can cough up the mucus. When you can’t produce mucus, a bronchoscopy may be performed to get a specimen. 5

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