Accuracy of auscultation in the detection of haemopneumothorax.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy of auscultation in the detection of haemopneumothorax.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital, Taiwan.


METHODS
148 patients with chest injuries admitted between July 1994 and August 1996.


METHODS
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.
Chen
S C
SC
Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Chang
K J
KJ
Hsu
C Y
CY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001314:Auscultation; D005260:Female; D006468:Hemopneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications