The activities of the Department of General Medicine and Pulmonology, headed by Dr. Michele Ciccarelli, include diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory system (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial disease, lung cancer and pleural effusion in sarcoidosis).
For these diseases, educational and custom rehabilitation programs have been developed. The tests performed include: pulmonary function test, fibro-bronchoscopy, bronchial biopsy, brushing, BAL lung biopsy, Tracheal aspiration, thoracentesis and intracavitary therapy of pleural effusions. The team sees over 3500 patients each year.
The team collaborates with the Humanitas Allergy Department to diagnose and treat the following conditions:
- food allergies or intolerances;
- respiratory allergies (in particular, rhinitis and asthma, which are a seasonal and perennial allergies), as well as exposure to occupational allergens;
- allergic conjunctivitis;
- contact dermatitis and professional contact dermatitis.
- chronic urticaria;
For a proper diagnosis of these diseases, the following tests should be performed: prick test for inhalant allergens, prick test for food allergies, GIRDCA standard series patch test, Prist, Rast test for common inhalant and food allergies, spirometry, as well as the novel ALEX (allergy explorer) test that allows the analysis of almost 300 allergens.
In the specific cases of patients with chronic urticaria, all routine blood tests are performed, as well as an autoantibody test, viral serology test, stool ova and parasites exam, Rx dental arches test and ultrasound and radiological investigations of any depth.
