PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Feyrouz Al-Ashkar
AU  - Reena Mehra
AU  - Peter J. Mazzone
TI  - Interpreting pulmonary function tests: Recognize the pattern, and the diagnosis will follow
DP  - 2003 Oct 01
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - 866--881
VI  - 70
IP  - 10
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/70/10/866.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/70/10/866.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med2003 Oct 01; 70
AB  - When interpreting pulmonary function tests, one should first try to determine the pattern of abnormality: is it obstructive, restrictive, or normal? Pulmonary function tests cannot by themselves distinguish among the potential causes of abnormalities, and must be interpreted in light of the patient’s history, physical examination, and ancillary studies. Once a pattern is recognized, the diagnosis will often follow.