MANUAL OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
Coarse crackles are abnormal respiratory sounds auscultated during inspiration and sometimes during expiration. They are louder and lower-pitched than fine crackles and are usually associated with the presence of secretions or structural changes in the lungs. These sounds indicate that large and medium airways are obstructed by mucus, pus, or fluids and may be indicative of various chronic or acute pulmonary pathologies.
Pathology | Clinical Symptoms and Signs | Suspected Diagnosis | Confirmatory Diagnosis |
|---|---|---|---|
Bronchiectasis | Chronic productive cough, purulent sputum, haemoptysis, dyspnoea, scattered coarse crackles | Medical history of recurrent respiratory infections, physical examination | Chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) |
Pulmonary Fibrosis | Progressive dyspnoea, dry cough, coarse crackles at lung bases, clubbing | Medical history, physical examination, basal crackles | Chest X-ray, HRCT, lung biopsy |
Interstitial Lung Disease | Dyspnoea, dry cough, fatigue, scattered coarse crackles | Medical history, physical examination, coarse crackles at bases | Chest X-ray, HRCT, lung biopsy |
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