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Bronchial Challenge Testing

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Abstract

Bronchial Challenge is a test used to help in diagnosing or excluding bronchial asthma by provoking a bronchoconstriction response to a controlled external stimulus. The external stimulus varies according to the type of asthma. It could be a drug such as methacholine or a physical stimulus such as exercise or cold air.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This test is sometimes called methacholine challenge test.

  2. 2.

    Two major dosing protocols are widely used: (1) the 2-min tidal breathing method (the method discussed in this chapter) and (2) the five-breath dosimeter method.1

  3. 3.

    Or by exposure to workplace allergens thought to cause occupational asthma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, 23 lvor Rd.,, M4N 2H3, North York, Ontario, Canada

    Ali Altalag

  2. The Lung Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, 7th Floor, 2775 Laurel Streen, V5Z 1M9, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Jeremy Road

  3. Cpy Pauls Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, V6Z 1Y6, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Pearce Wilcox

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  1. Ali Altalag
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  2. Jeremy Road
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  3. Pearce Wilcox
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Altalag, A., Road, J., Wilcox, P. (2009). Bronchial Challenge Testing. In: Pulmonary Function Tests in Clinical Practice. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-231-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-231-3_4

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