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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Silicosis physical examination

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Physical examination of the chest in silicosis is often unremarkable, although a variety of abnormal breath sounds, including crackles, rhonchi, and/or wheezes, occur as the disease progress.

Physical Examination

Physical Examination

Physical examination of the chest is often unremarkable in simple silicosis, although a variety of abnormal breath sounds, including

Fine crackles,
Coarse crackles (often at end inspiration),
Rhonchi, and/or
Wheezes, have been reported to occur in approximately 25 percent of affected individuals ^[1].

Patients with Progressive massive fibrosis frequently have

Decreased breath sounds.
Crackles are less common in PMF than in simple silicosis, but other adventitial sounds may be present.
Look for other associated etiology if

Digital clubbing
Signs of chronic respiratory failure and
cor pulmonale are present.

References

References

↑ Munakata M, Homma Y, Matsuzaki M, Ogasawara H, Sasaki Y, Kawakami Y (1985). “Rales in silicosis. A correlative study with physiological and radiological abnormalities”. Respiration. 48 (2): 140–4. PMID 4059668.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aparna Vuppala, M.B.B.S. [2]