https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2009.80

Egophony: is this classic semeiological sign still helpful?

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2009)
Submitted: 29 April 2013
Accepted: 29 April 2013
Published: 30 April 2013
Egophony, Physical diagnosis, Lung, Pleural effusion, Laënnec.
Abstract Views: 1441
PDF: 1818
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Authors

Domenico Viviani
paola.granata@pagepress.org
Giovanni Gasbarrini
BACKGROUND Egophony, also known as E to A change, is a classical, clinical sign detected by chest auscultation, consisting into a change in timbre, but not pitch or volume, produced by solid interposed between the resonator and the stethoscope head. Egophony was first described in 1916 by R.T.H. La«nnec, but today it is almost unknown. Yet it is a powerful tool to detect pleural effusion as well as other pathological conditions associated with lung compression or consolidation, such as hemothorax or atelectasis of the lung.
AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this paper is to remember the value of this frequently neglected clinical sign and to stress the importance of physical examination, that should always precede - and could often replace - instrumental tests, which are quite expensive and sometimes unnecessary.

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How to Cite

Viviani, D., & Gasbarrini, G. (2013). Egophony: is this classic semeiological sign still helpful?. Italian Journal of Medicine, 3(2), 80–81. https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2009.80

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