AUSCULTATION FINDINGS-TYPES OF CRACKLES

SUMMARY

Caused by opening/closing of alveoli + small airways.
1. Early inspiratory crackles - diseases of the small airways. Cause: COPD.

2. Late inspiratory crackles - diseases of the alveoli. Divided into fine (pulmonary fibrosis), medium (CCF), coarse (bronchiectasis, pooled secretions of any cause).

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].