View source for Bronchophony

{{SignSymptom infobox |
  Name        = Bronchophony |
  ICD10       = {{ICD10|R|09|8|r|00}} |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9|786.7}} |
  Image = Gray961.png |
  Caption = Front view of cartilages of larynx, trachea, and [[bronchi]]. |
}}

'''Bronchophony''', also known as '''bronchiloquy''',<ref>{{DorlandsDict|two/000014745|bronchophony}}</ref> is the abnormal transmission of sounds from the [[lung]]s or [[Bronchus|bronchi]]. Bronchophony is a type of [[pectoriloquy]].

It is a general medical [[Medical sign|sign]] detected by [[auscultation]]. 

==Technique==
The patient is requested to repeat a word several times while the physician auscultates symmetrical areas of each lung. The numbers "ninety-nine" or "sixty-six" are traditionally mentioned, though now only as illustrations of profound loss of meaning through translation. 

==Interpretation==
Normally, the sound of the patient's voice becomes less distinct as the auscultation moves peripherally; bronchophony is the phenomenon of the patient's voice remaining loud at the periphery of the lungs or sounding louder than usual over a distinct area of consolidation, such as in pneumonia. This is a valuable tool in physical diagnosis used by medical personnel when auscultating the chest. 

Often, the patient does not have to speak for the physician to hear signs of bronchophony.  Rather, the normal ''breath sounds'' are increased in loudness - referred to by doctors as "increased breath sounds" - over the affected area of the lungs is indicative.

==Causes==
Bronchophony may be caused by a solidification of lung tissue around the bronchii - which may indicate [[lung cancer]] - or by fluid in the [[alveolus|alveoli]], which may indicate [[pneumonia]]. However, it may also have benign causes, such as wide bronchii. As such, it usually an indication for further investigation rather than the main basis of a diagnosis.

==Other observations==
Other tools used in auscultation include listening for [[egophony]], [[whispered pectoriloquy]], [[rales]], [[rhonchi]] or [[wheezing]].  [[Percussion (medicine)|Percussion]] is also often used to determine diseases of the chest.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.mediscuss.org/respiratory-auscultation-tips-audio-mp3-examples-71-page4.html Abnormal Respiratory Vocal Sounds]
*[http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/bronchophony TheFreeDictionary.com]

{{Circulatory and respiratory system symptoms and signs}}
[[Category:Medical signs]]

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[[pt:Broncofonia]]
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