Auenbrugger's sign

Auenbrugger's Sign is a medical sign used in the diagnosis of certain cardiovascular diseases. It was first described by the Austrian physician Leopold Auenbrugger in the 18th century.

History

Leopold Auenbrugger, an Austrian physician, first described the sign in 1761. He discovered it while working at the Spanish Military Hospital in Vienna. Auenbrugger's sign is named in his honor.

Clinical Significance

Auenbrugger's sign is used in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis. It is a physical examination finding that is elicited by percussing the patient's chest wall. A positive Auenbrugger's sign is characterized by a change in the percussion note from resonance to dullness with the patient in the supine position, which disappears when the patient sits up and leans forward.

Technique

The technique for eliciting Auenbrugger's sign involves the examiner percussing the patient's chest wall while the patient is in different positions. The examiner starts with the patient in the supine position and percusses from the left lower sternal border upwards towards the left shoulder. If there is a pericardial effusion, the percussion note will change from resonance to dullness. The patient is then asked to sit up and lean forward, and the percussion is repeated. If the dullness disappears, this is considered a positive Auenbrugger's sign.

Limitations

While Auenbrugger's sign can be useful in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis, it is not always present in these conditions. Furthermore, it can be difficult to elicit in obese patients or those with emphysema.

See Also

• Kussmaul's sign
• Beck's triad
• Pulsus paradoxus