====== GOLD STANDARDS IN PULMONOLOGY ======

  * Gold standard method for diagnosis and treatment of Ventilator AssociatedPneumonia (VAP) - Broncho 
  * alveolar lavage
  * Gold standard approach for resection of anterior and middle mediastinal masses -median or lateral 
  * thoracotomy
  * Gold standard investigation for diagnosis of of lung infection (Radiotherapyinduced) in a cancer patient - 
  * open-lung biopsy
  * Gold standard method for evaluation of respiratory gas exchange - ABG
  * Gold standard investigation for diagnosis of histoplasmosis - Fungal Culture
  * Gold standard investigation for diagnosis of HSV Encephalitis - Brain biopsy (CSFPCR largely replaced brain 
  * biopsy in recent times)
  * Gold standard investigation for diagnosis of Tuberculous meningitis - Culture of CSF
  * Gold standard method for estimating resting energy expenditure - indirect calorimetry
  * Gold standard investigation for diagnosis of pertussis - Culture of nasopharyngeal secretions
  * Gold standard investigation for diagnosis of acute pharyngitis - Throat culture