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Noninvasive Diagnosis Using Sounds Originating from within the Body
Published in Robert B. Northrop, Non-Invasive Instrumentation and Measurement in Medical Diagnosis, 2017
Crackles or rales are caused by air being forced past respiratory passages that are narrowed (but not blocked) by fluid, mucus, or pus. These sounds are intermittent, nonmusical and transient; they can be heard on inspiration and/or expiration. Crackles are often associated with inflammation or infection of the small bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Crackles that do not clear with coughing can indicate pulmonary edema. Crackles can be subdivided into fine, medium, and coarse.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a slaughterhouse worker: A case report
Published in Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 2022
Elena Vasileiou, Paschalis Ntolios, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Theodoros Constantinidis, Evangelia Nena
A 60-year old, white/Caucasian, male presented to the Respiratory Outpatient Unit of our Institution, with progressively worsening dyspnea and nonproductive cough over the preceding 6 months. On presentation, the patient was alert, oriented and tempo-spatially collaborative. He was hydrated and afebrile, with a respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute, blood pressure 135/75 mmHg and hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2) 95% while breathing room air. Pulmonary auscultation revealed bilateral, fine “Velcro” crackles while the cardiac auscultation and abdominal examination were normal. He had no palpable lymphadenopathy or peripheral edema, and rest of physical examination was normal. His medical history included only a number of episodes of flu-like symptoms that subsided without specific treatment in the past. A detailed occupational history was obtained, where he mentioned that he has been working in a sheep/goat slaughterhouse for the last 25 years. He did not have a pet and he did not report any hobbies or contact with animals in his free time, although he lived in a rural setting with his elderly mother. He was nonsmoker but reported a moderate consumption of alcohol.
Importance and use of pulse oximeter in COVID-19 pandemic: general factors affecting the sensitivity of pulse oximeter
Published in Indian Chemical Engineer, 2020
Kirtikumar C. Badgujar, Ashish B. Badgujar, Dipak V. Dhangar, Vivek C. Badgujar
Pulse oximeter is a small non-invasive device which is used to determine the hypoxia in patients [1–4]. The main function of the pulse oximeter is to determine the amount of oxygen saturation (SpO2), which indicates the amount of oxygen in the blood [2–4]. More particularly, it is the % of oxygenated haemoglobin as compared to total amount of haemoglobin (Hb) in the blood [3]. In the case of COVID-19, the major common observed symptoms at the onset of illness are fever, fatigue, dry-cough, myalgia and dyspnoea [5,6]. Patients having trouble in breathing in COVID-19 infection are showing development of pneumonia [5]. In such a case, oxygen exchange capacity of lungs decreases and subsequent hypoxia/dyspnoea is developed which is associated with the abnormal chest CT/X-ray, ground glass opacities, lung auscultation, crackles, multiple patch-like shadows, pleural effusion, ‘white lung-like’ change and consolidation [5–7]. To monitor/manage this situation, two medical instruments are essentially needed: (i) pulse oximeter (to determine the oxygen saturation in blood) and (ii) ventilator (to provide oxygenation therapy) [8,9]. Ventilators (depending on availability) can be available only in the case of well-facilitated hospitals or in medical emergency services; however, portable pocket pulse oximeters are very much available commercially which may play a crucial role in determining the oxygen carrying capacity [7–10].
The contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of welder’s lung in a patient with pulmonary fibrosis
Published in Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 2020
Deniz Koksal, Oguz Karcioglu, Elif Babaoglu, Sevinc Sarınc Ulasli, Sevgen Onder
A 56-year-old asymptomatic male patient was referred to our clinic due to abnormal chest X-ray findings that was requested for regular controls by workplace physician. There were peripherally located linear and reticular opacities bilaterally in the lower lung zones. The patient was an ex-smoker for the last 4 years, with smoking history of 40 pack-years. He has been working as a welder both indoor and outdoor settings for the last 25 years. He was not aware of any asbestos exposure. In his past medical history, he had diabetes mellitus which was under control with oral anti-diabetic drugs. On physical examination, there were velcro crackles on bilateral basal lung fields and clubbing. Computed tomography (CT) of thorax revealed reticular opacities on basal and peripheral zones, traction bronchiectasis and honey combing consistent with usual interstitial pneumonia and accompanying slightly enlarged mediastinal, hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes (Figure 1). Pulmonary function tests revealed a FEV1: 2.96 lt (90%), FVC: 3.46 lt (84%) and FEV1/FVC: 85. Resting oxygen saturation was 97% on room air. He walked 585 m in 6 minute walking test without desaturation. Pulmonary arterial pressure was 25 mmHg on echocardiography. Laboratory analysis were all within normal limits. Collagen tissue markers were all negative.