Chest
Volume 76, Issue 6, December 1979, Pages 690-692
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Special Report
Lung Sound Terminology in Case Reports

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Terms used to describe lung sounds in published case reports were tabulated, including qualifying adjectives. Seven journals were reviewed, and a total of 663 case reports were included. From the frequency of usage and similarity of qualifying adjectives it appears that “rales” and “crepitations” are equivalent terms. Many authors feel the need to qualify “rales”: sixteen descriptive adjectives were encountered. Some authors distinguish between “rhonchus” and “wheeze,” but the terms, for most, appear to mean the same thing. It is evident that current usage varies widely, even in the terminology of the basic categories of sounds.

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MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven journals were selected for review. Four are subspecialty chest journals, two American (American Review of Respiratory Diseases and Chest) and two British (British Journal of Diseases of the Chest and Thorax). Two general American medical journals (American Journal of Medicine and New England Journal of Medicine) and one pediatric journal (American Journal of Diseases of Children) were included. Starting with the then current issue (July 1977), each case report was read, and a note was

RESULTS

Lung sounds described in 663 case reports fall into three general categories: breath sounds, discontinuous, and continuous added sounds. On 54 occasions, breath sounds were described. Discontinuous added sounds were mentioned frequently: rales 488 times, crepitations 103 times, crackles 11 times, and “squeaks” twice. Continuous added sounds were encountered less often: rhonchi 129 times, wheezes 145 times, and stridor 18 times.

Adjectives used to qualify the term “breath sounds” (other than by

DISCUSSION

The results of this survey show the relative frequency of use at the present time of various terms. It seems likely that rales are synonymous with crepitations, the latter word being used predominantly by British authors. Many authors feel the need to qualify “rales” by descriptive adjectives, most of which are unclear. Some authors equate “rhonchus” with “wheeze” but others do not. All sounds have been described during both inspiration and expiration. Lung sound terminology clearly requires

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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Supported by a Summer Student Research Scholarship (NJB) from the Southwestern Ohio Lung Association.

Presented at the Second International Lung Sounds Conference, Cincinnati, September 1977.

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