Accuracy of auscultation in the detection of haemopneumothorax
Journal
European Journal of Surgery
Journal Volume
164
Journal Issue
9
Pages
643-645
Date Issued
1998
Author(s)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of auscultation in the detection of haemopneumothorax. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Taiwan. PATIENTS: 148 patients with chest injuries admitted between July 1994 and August 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation between the results of auscultation and radiographic findings in 148 patients with injuries to the chest. 83 (56%) had internal injuries, of whom 38 had pneumothoraces, 24 haemothoraces, and 21 haemopneumothoraces. RESULTS: Auscultation had a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 97%, an accuracy of 89% and a positive predictive value of 97% in the detection of these injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Auscultation is not as accurate as chest radiography. Chest tubes can be inserted before chest radiography in patients in whom auscultation has indicated an injury. A chest radiograph is essential in those patients with normal breath sounds to exclude a haemopneumothorax that had been missed by auscultation.
SDGs
Type
journal article