The distribution and quality of breath sounds are regularly assessed during physical examinations of patients. Computerized technologies that simultaneously capture breath sounds from the whole thoracic surface may provide the clinician with more accurate data about the regional distribution of breath sound intensity [1–4]. These technologies have added value over the stethoscope [5–7] because they are able to permanently record and to form images of respiratory sounds [1, 3, 8, 9]. Technical issues and complex display modes have restricted application of this technology in the clinical environment to date [10–14]. Of the display modes studied, gray-scale sound-intensity maps may be most suited for clinical work [1, 3] because these maps can be interpreted rapidly and provide insight into the planar and temporal distribution of lung sound intensity. Quantifiable data are expected to support and complement the interpretation of visual images.
Publication information
Mordechai Y, Gat M, Myer JJ, Freidman PJ, Maher TM, Madison JM 'Vibration response imaging technology in healthy subjects', AJR Am JRoentgenol 2008: 191; 845 - 852.