Fremitus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:10, 11 December 2024

Fremitus

Fremitus refers to a palpable vibration or tremor that can be felt through the chest wall, often during speech or breathing. It is an important clinical sign that can provide valuable information about the underlying condition of the lungs and pleura.

Types of Fremitus

Fremitus can be classified into several types based on the method of detection and the underlying cause:

Tactile Fremitus

Tactile fremitus is the vibration felt on the chest wall when a patient speaks. It is typically assessed by placing the palms or the ulnar edge of the hands on the patient's chest while they repeat a phrase such as "ninety-nine" or "blue balloons." Increased tactile fremitus may indicate lung consolidation, as seen in pneumonia, while decreased fremitus may suggest pleural effusion or pneumothorax.

Vocal Fremitus

Vocal fremitus is similar to tactile fremitus but is specifically related to the vibrations of the vocal cords transmitted through the lung tissue to the chest wall. It is assessed in the same manner as tactile fremitus.

Pleural Fremitus

Pleural fremitus is a vibration felt on the chest wall due to friction between the pleural layers. It is often associated with pleuritis or pleural effusion.

Rhonchal Fremitus

Rhonchal fremitus is a vibration felt when air passes through mucus or secretions in the bronchial tubes. It is often associated with conditions like bronchitis.

Clinical Significance

The presence and quality of fremitus can provide important diagnostic clues:

Increased Fremitus: This may indicate lung consolidation, such as in pneumonia, where the lung tissue becomes solidified due to infection and inflammation.
Decreased Fremitus: This may suggest the presence of air or fluid in the pleural space, such as in pneumothorax or pleural effusion, which dampens the transmission of vibrations.

Assessment Technique

To assess fremitus, the examiner should:

1. Ask the patient to sit upright and breathe normally. 2. Place the hands on symmetrical areas of the chest wall. 3. Ask the patient to repeat a phrase like "ninety-nine" while palpating the chest. 4. Compare the intensity of vibrations on both sides of the chest.

Also see

Template:Medical signs and symptoms

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-= Fremitus =
+Fremitus
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+Fremitus refers to a palpable vibration or tremor that can be felt through the chest wall, often during speech or breathing. It is an important clinical sign that can provide valuable information about the underlying condition of the lungs and pleura.
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-'''Fremitus''' refers to the palpable vibrations transmitted through the body's tissues, most commonly used in medical contexts to evaluate the condition of the lungs. It is a valuable diagnostic tool, especially when assessing for respiratory conditions.
+==Types of Fremitus==
+Fremitus can be classified into several types based on the method of detection and the underlying cause:
-== Types of Fremitus ==
+===Tactile Fremitus===
+Tactile fremitus is the vibration felt on the chest wall when a patient speaks. It is typically assessed by placing the palms or the ulnar edge of the hands on the patient's chest while they repeat a phrase such as "ninety-nine" or "blue balloons." Increased tactile fremitus may indicate lung consolidation, as seen in pneumonia, while decreased fremitus may suggest pleural effusion or pneumothorax.
-Fremitus can manifest in various forms, primarily differentiated by their causes and the techniques used for their detection.
+===Vocal Fremitus===
+Vocal fremitus is similar to tactile fremitus but is specifically related to the vibrations of the vocal cords transmitted through the lung tissue to the chest wall. It is assessed in the same manner as tactile fremitus.
-=== Tactile Fremitus ===
+===Pleural Fremitus===
+Pleural fremitus is a vibration felt on the chest wall due to friction between the pleural layers. It is often associated with pleuritis or pleural effusion.
-Tactile fremitus is perceived through touch, typically felt on the chest wall. Healthcare providers assess this vibration by placing their hands on a patient's chest and asking them to repeat certain words or phrases. Variations in the intensity or quality of these vibrations can hint at underlying lung conditions.
+===Rhonchal Fremitus===
+Rhonchal fremitus is a vibration felt when air passes through mucus or secretions in the bronchial tubes. It is often associated with conditions like bronchitis.
-=== Vocal Fremitus ===
+==Clinical Significance==
+The presence and quality of fremitus can provide important diagnostic clues:
-Vocal fremitus is evaluated using a stethoscope placed on the chest wall, amplifying the vibrations caused by speech. Differences in the loudness or clarity of these sounds, in comparison to normal levels, can be indicative of lung issues.
+* '''[[Increased Fremitus]]''': This may indicate lung consolidation, such as in pneumonia, where the lung tissue becomes solidified due to infection and inflammation.
+* '''[[Decreased Fremitus]]''': This may suggest the presence of air or fluid in the pleural space, such as in pneumothorax or pleural effusion, which dampens the transmission of vibrations.
-=== Other Types ===
+==Assessment Technique==
+To assess fremitus, the examiner should:
-Though less common, there are other forms of fremitus:
+. Ask the patient to sit upright and breathe normally.
+. Place the hands on symmetrical areas of the chest wall.
+. Ask the patient to repeat a phrase like "ninety-nine" while palpating the chest.
+. Compare the intensity of vibrations on both sides of the chest.
-* '''Bronchophony''': A clearer and louder voice sound heard via stethoscope.
+==Also see==
-* '''Egophony''': A nasal or bleating sound heard when a patient says the letter "E."
+* [[Percussion (medicine)]]
-* '''Whispered Pectoriloquy''': Whispered sounds becoming clearer or louder when assessed with a stethoscope.
+* [[Auscultation]]
+* [[Pleural effusion]]
+* [[Pneumothorax]]
+* [[Pneumonia]]
-== Clinical Importance ==
+{{Medical signs and symptoms}}
-Assessing fremitus plays a significant role in diagnosing and evaluating several lung conditions:
+[[Category:Medical signs]]
+[[Category:Respiratory system]]
-* '''Pneumonia''': Increased fremitus can be a sign due to consolidated lung tissue.
+[[Category:Physical examination]]
-* '''Pleural Effusion or Pneumothorax''': These conditions can cause decreased or absent fremitus due to fluid or air blocking the transmission of vibrations.
-* '''Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)''': Often presents with decreased fremitus.
-== Conclusion ==
-Fremitus provides a non-invasive method to evaluate lung health, offering clues to a range of pulmonary conditions. It remains an integral part of the respiratory examination in clinical medicine.
-[[Category:Medicine]]
-[[Category:Diagnostic Procedures]]
-[[Category:Respiratory System]]
-{{stub}}