Objective
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Lung clearance Index
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Purpose
To identify early lung disease
All ages
Assesment Type
Patient Group
Respiratory
Age Group
Children (3-12 years) | Adolescents (13-17 years) | Young Adult (18+ years)
ICF domain
Body Structure & Function
Area of assessment
Respiratory Function
Key description
Description
A measure of lung physiology from multiple breath washout tests
Reliability / validity
Variability between tests
Expensive equipment outlay and maintenance
Strengths / weaknesses
Expensive equipment that only a few hospitals have access to.
Cost
Mass spectrometer £20,000-£30,000
Equipment required
Mass spectrometer to measure the washout of the inert tracer gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Training required
Yes
Considerations & references
References/ Links
https://thorax.bmj.com/content/63/2/135
Time to complete
Good lungs and good technique 20-30 minutes
Bad lungs with good technique 10+ minutes per run (3 runs
usually done) with 2 minutes to recalibrate in between so 45
minutes
Comments
Useful in young children
If you spot any errors or wish to suggest any amendments to this summary, please contact paediatricmeasures@apcp.org.uk