Auscultation
of the chest is a very old diagnostic method. Originally, it was performed by
the examiner directly hearing into the patient's chest, and this practice dates
back to the time of Hippocrates. Recent acoustic research sometimes can’t find
the explanation for a term that is supposed to have a pathophysiological basis,
but that has been passed down through generations with medical over time.The
original description of lung sounds was based on comparing acoustic phenomena
that was heard in the chest with gross lesions autopsy. Subsequently, the
interpretation of these findings is based on functional rather than anatomical
analysis. Auscultation became an invaluable diagnostic method. With the advent
of radiological images, increasingly sophisticated, computerized tests of lung
function, rapid arterial blood gas analysis, endoscopic studies airway and
percutaneous biopsies of pleura and lung; the practice, with method and timing
of chest auscultation, has lost presence. In addition, the nomenclature of
respiratory sounds is sometimes confusing and the terminology proposed by
international committees, little known. One objective of the article is to give
a pathophysiological basis of noise based on modern computer-assisted studies
which have enabled accurate recording and sound analysis techniques. The other
objective is to provide a practical and useful tool to understand and correlate
what you hear, with the pathophysiological basis, the underlying condition that
generates the phenomena and streamline the diagnostic work. Technology has
impacted medical auscultation with computerized equipment that allows to
collect, analyze and study sound waves in a realistic way and never before
seen. This technological development enables and improvement in auscultation
knowledge in order to understand more and better findings. But this development
should not pretend to cram sophisticated, expensive and unnecessary medical
equipment. Auscultation of the lungs with a simple stethoscope, in day to day
work and to the bedside of the sick, is part of the physical assessment. We
must remember that it is a tool whose effectiveness depends on the rest of the
physical examination and medical history.
Biography of author(s)
Alcibey Alvarado
Internal
Medicine and Neumology, Clínica de DiagnósticoMédico, San José, Costa Rica.
View Volume: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ctmmr/v2
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