Pulmonary (Lung) Examination At University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Munich

At the University Hospital Rechts der Isar in Munich, we treat breathing as a vital indicator of overall systemic health. Our Department of Internal Medicine and Pneumology offers a comprehensive pulmonary examination that transcends basic chest X-rays. As one of Germany’s leading academic medical centers, we provide international patients with a diagnostic "deep dive" into lung function, using the same high-level technology we employ in complex clinical research. Whether you are dealing with chronic shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or require a high-precision screening for occupational or environmental lung damage, our Munich-based experts provide a roadmap for your respiratory recovery. The diagnostic journey at Rechts der Isar is centered on advanced body plethysmography. While standard lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe out, our "body box" technology measures the air that remains in your lungs—the residual volume. By sitting in a specialized, airtight glass chamber, we can calculate the resistance in your airways and the elasticity of your lung tissue with extreme mathematical accuracy. This allows our pneumologists to distinguish between obstructive diseases like asthma or COPD and restrictive issues like lung fibrosis at a very early stage, often before symptoms become severe. Beyond the "body box," we use diffusion capacity testing (DLCO) to assess the lungs' primary function: gas exchange. This test measures how efficiently oxygen travels from the air sacs in your lungs into your bloodstream. By analyzing the concentration of a harmless tracer gas, we can detect microscopic damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane, which is often an early warning sign of pulmonary hypertension or interstitial lung disease. For patients with a history of smoking or heavy urban exposure, we complement these functional tests with low-dose high-resolution CT (HRCT), providing a crystal-clear 3D visualization of the lung architecture without the high radiation exposure of traditional scans. A unique feature of the examination at Rechts der Isar is our focus on cardiopulmonary exercise testing. We believe that the lungs must be evaluated under stress to truly understand their capacity. During this "stress test for the lungs," we monitor your oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, and heart rhythm simultaneously while you exercise on a stationary bicycle. This provides a holistic view of the "heart-lung-muscle" axis, helping our doctors determine whether a patient’s fatigue is primarily respiratory, cardiac, or metabolic in origin. This level of integrated diagnostics is a hallmark of our University Hospital’s interdisciplinary approach. Our technical and clinical framework for the pulmonary diagnosis includes:Academic-Grade Diagnostics. Access to the latest lung function technology used in international clinical trials. Bronchoscopic Precision. If needed, we offer ultra-thin, flexible video-bronchoscopy for direct visualization and biopsy of the airways. Allergy & Immunology Focus. Integrated testing for environmental and occupational triggers that may be causing chronic airway inflammation. Munich Expert Network. Immediate consultation with thoracic surgeons and oncologists if the examination reveals a need for further specialized intervention. Choosing University Hospital Rechts der Isar for your lung evaluation means entrusting your respiratory health to academic leaders. We provide more than just a check-up; we provide a clear, data-backed understanding of your pulmonary health in one of the world's most advanced medical cities. At Rechts der Isar, we ensure that every breath you take is supported by the best that modern German medicine has to offer.