What does an increase in tactile fremitus mean?

An increase in tactile fremitus indicates denser or inflamed lung tissue, which can be caused by diseases such as pneumonia. A decrease suggests air or fluid in the pleural spaces or a decrease in lung tissue density, which can be caused by diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.

What does dull percussion sounds indicate?

There are four types of percussion sounds: resonant, hyper-resonant, stony dull or dull. A dull sound indicates the presence of a solid mass under the surface. A more resonant sound indicates hollow, air-containing structures.

What causes dullness to percussion in lungs?

Dullness replaces resonance when fluid or solid tissue replaces air-containing lung tissues, such as occurs with pneumonia, pleural effusions, or tumors. Hyperresonant sounds that are louder and lower pitched than resonant sounds are normally heard when percussing the chests of children and very thin adults.

Is tactile fremitus increased in pulmonary edema?

Pneumonia and pulmonary edema result in fluid accumulation in the formerly air-filled spaces of pulmonary tissue. This consolidation produces dullness to percussion but magnifies the vibrations of tactile fremitus and changes observed in voice sounds.

What is the difference between tactile and vocal fremitus?

Vocal fremitus is a vibration transmitted through the body. It refers to the assessment of the lungs by either the vibration intensity felt on the chest wall (tactile fremitus) and/or heard by a stethoscope on the chest wall with certain spoken words (vocal resonance).

What causes increased vocal resonance?

Abnormal vocal resonance Increased volume over an area suggests increased tissue density (e.g. consolidation, tumour, lobar collapse). Decreased volume over an area suggests the presence of fluid or air outside of the lung (e.g. pleural effusion, pneumothorax).

What causes tactile fremitus?

The most common cause of a consolidated lung is a lung infection, such as pneumonia. Other causes of increased tactile fremitus include partial or total collapse of a lung (known as atelectasis) or the presence of a solid mass in the lungs, such as a tumor.

What does stony dullness indicate?

Dullness: suggests increased tissue density (e.g. cardiac dullness, consolidation, tumour, lobar collapse). Stony dullness: typically caused by an underlying pleural effusion. Hyper-resonance: the opposite of dullness, suggestive of decreased tissue density (e.g. pneumothorax).

What is tactile fremitus?

Vocal (tactile) fremitus is palpation of the chest wall to detect changes in the intensity of vibrations created with certain spoken words in a constant tone and voice indicating underlying lung pathology.[1][2][3]

What are rhonchi in the lungs?

Rhonchi, or “large airway sounds,” are continuous gurgling or bubbling sounds typically heard during both inhalation and exhalation. These sounds are caused by movement of fluid and secretions in larger airways (asthma, viral URI). Rhonchi, unlike other sounds, may clear with coughing.

What does Rhonchi sound like?

Rhonchi sounds have a continuous snoring, gurgling, or rattle-like quality. Rhonchi occur in the bronchi as air moves through tracheal-bronchial passages coated with mucus or respiratory secretions. This is often heard in pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, or cystic fibrosis. Rhonchi usually clear after coughing.