ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the common tests and procedures that are performed in the allergist’s office. It discusses topics such as, spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement, exercise challenge, eucapnic voluntary hyperventlilation test, methacholine challenge, skin prick testing, intradermal testing, local anesthetic testing, and penicillin testing. The chapter then focuses on venom testing, patch testing, atopy patch testing, allergen immunotherapy administration, oral food challenge, aspirin desensitization, nebulizer administration, and rhinoscopy. Spirometry is a basic pulmonary function test which measures the volume of air inspired or expired as a function of time. Methacholine challenge testing is often performed when asthma is a diagnostic possibility but traditional methods such as pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement are inconclusive. Measurement of fractional nitric oxide in exhaled breath is a noninvasive, simple and safe method of measuring eosinophilic airway inflammation. Skin testing is a bioassay which detects the presence of allergen-specific IgE on a patient’s mast cells.
