Test Result - Does this rule out CF?

[concernedmom]

Ditto what everyone else said. Also, check into primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). With PCD, the patient's cilia either is dysfunctional or missing. THe end result is that mucous and debris become trapped in the airways causing infection and scarring. Very different cause but similiar presentation to CF. Chronic sinusitis (especially bilateral) and bronchiectasis are hallmarks. Chronic fluid on the ears or recurring ear infections are common, too (especially in children). PCD is much less common than CF, and is much more difficult to test for; therefore, it's an easy diagnosis to miss. It requires a cilia biopsy (very invasive) to diagnose. This can be performed during routine sinus surgery or a bronchoscopy (or by itself, too).

A nasal potential difference test can actually help diagnose both CF and PCD. A CFers score on the NPD will be lower than a healthy person's, and a PCDers score will be even lower than a typical CFer. It's not as commonly available as a sweat test, but maybe your doctor would be willing to send you for this test?

Good luck.

 

[concernedmom]

Ditto what everyone else said. Also, check into primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). With PCD, the patient's cilia either is dysfunctional or missing. THe end result is that mucous and debris become trapped in the airways causing infection and scarring. Very different cause but similiar presentation to CF. Chronic sinusitis (especially bilateral) and bronchiectasis are hallmarks. Chronic fluid on the ears or recurring ear infections are common, too (especially in children). PCD is much less common than CF, and is much more difficult to test for; therefore, it's an easy diagnosis to miss. It requires a cilia biopsy (very invasive) to diagnose. This can be performed during routine sinus surgery or a bronchoscopy (or by itself, too).

A nasal potential difference test can actually help diagnose both CF and PCD. A CFers score on the NPD will be lower than a healthy person's, and a PCDers score will be even lower than a typical CFer. It's not as commonly available as a sweat test, but maybe your doctor would be willing to send you for this test?

Good luck.

 

[concernedmom]

Ditto what everyone else said. Also, check into primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). With PCD, the patient's cilia either is dysfunctional or missing. THe end result is that mucous and debris become trapped in the airways causing infection and scarring. Very different cause but similiar presentation to CF. Chronic sinusitis (especially bilateral) and bronchiectasis are hallmarks. Chronic fluid on the ears or recurring ear infections are common, too (especially in children). PCD is much less common than CF, and is much more difficult to test for; therefore, it's an easy diagnosis to miss. It requires a cilia biopsy (very invasive) to diagnose. This can be performed during routine sinus surgery or a bronchoscopy (or by itself, too).

A nasal potential difference test can actually help diagnose both CF and PCD. A CFers score on the NPD will be lower than a healthy person's, and a PCDers score will be even lower than a typical CFer. It's not as commonly available as a sweat test, but maybe your doctor would be willing to send you for this test?

Good luck.

 

[concernedmom]

Ditto what everyone else said. Also, check into primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). With PCD, the patient's cilia either is dysfunctional or missing. THe end result is that mucous and debris become trapped in the airways causing infection and scarring. Very different cause but similiar presentation to CF. Chronic sinusitis (especially bilateral) and bronchiectasis are hallmarks. Chronic fluid on the ears or recurring ear infections are common, too (especially in children). PCD is much less common than CF, and is much more difficult to test for; therefore, it's an easy diagnosis to miss. It requires a cilia biopsy (very invasive) to diagnose. This can be performed during routine sinus surgery or a bronchoscopy (or by itself, too).

A nasal potential difference test can actually help diagnose both CF and PCD. A CFers score on the NPD will be lower than a healthy person's, and a PCDers score will be even lower than a typical CFer. It's not as commonly available as a sweat test, but maybe your doctor would be willing to send you for this test?

Good luck.

 

[concernedmom]

Ditto what everyone else said. Also, check into primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). With PCD, the patient's cilia either is dysfunctional or missing. THe end result is that mucous and debris become trapped in the airways causing infection and scarring. Very different cause but similiar presentation to CF. Chronic sinusitis (especially bilateral) and bronchiectasis are hallmarks. Chronic fluid on the ears or recurring ear infections are common, too (especially in children). PCD is much less common than CF, and is much more difficult to test for; therefore, it's an easy diagnosis to miss. It requires a cilia biopsy (very invasive) to diagnose. This can be performed during routine sinus surgery or a bronchoscopy (or by itself, too).

A nasal potential difference test can actually help diagnose both CF and PCD. A CFers score on the NPD will be lower than a healthy person's, and a PCDers score will be even lower than a typical CFer. It's not as commonly available as a sweat test, but maybe your doctor would be willing to send you for this test?

Good luck.