Abnormal Crackles and Wheezes

Abnormal Crackles and Wheezes

When listening to the lungs with a stethoscope, you may hear abnormal sounds called crackles and wheezes. These sounds are caused by obstructed airflow, vibration of the bronchial walls, and the movement of secretions within the lungs.

Types of Crackles:

• Coarse Crackles: Caused by airway obstruction and vibration of large obstructed bronchi. Most audible at the end of inspiration and expiration.

• Fine Crackles: Caused by the combination of airflow and vibration of small and medium-sized obstructed bronchi. Most audible at the end of inspiration and expiration.

• Crackling: Caused by air separating alveoli and terminal bronchioles. Audible at the end of inspiration. Commonly found in pneumonia, tuberculosis, and atelectasis due to prolonged lying down.

• Moist Crackles: Caused by airflow moving secretions in the bronchi and alveoli. Audible in both phases. Commonly found in hypersecretion of mucus, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, and pulmonary edema.

Types of Wheezes:

• Tubular Wheezes: Caused by bronchial breath sounds transmitted through consolidated lung tissue. Audible in both phases.

• Pleural Wheezes: Caused by bronchial breath sounds transmitted through compressed or consolidated lung tissue, then through the fluid in the pleural cavity. Audible on expiration.

• Stridor: Caused by bronchial breath sounds resonating through a large air cavity. Most audible on expiration. Commonly found in tension pneumothorax with a valve, broncho-pleural fistula.

• Cavernous Wheezes: Caused by bronchial breath sounds transmitted through an air-filled cavity surrounded by consolidated tissue. Audible in both phases.

Note: Crackles and wheezes are only part of diagnosing respiratory diseases. They should be considered along with other symptoms, clinical examinations, and other tests to accurately determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.