Definition
The rattles are acquired respiratory noises, of a discontinuous nature. They derive from the movement of air in natural cavities (bronchi and alveoli) or pathological (eg bronchiectasis), in the case in which they contain secretory or transudation material.
At the auscultation of the chest, based on their acoustic characteristics, one can perceive fine rales (short, high-pitched sounds) or coarse (longer sounds, low-pitched sounds) that correspond to the caliber of the cavities in which they originate.
- High-pitched noises, also known as crackling rattles or crackles, are due to the delayed opening of the alveoli; they are typical of bronchopneumonia.
- Low-pitched noises, on the other hand, originate from the passage of air through the mucus and, in most cases, are a sign of bronchitis.
These breathing noises have been compared to the sound produced by the rubbing of a plastic bag and can be simulated by rubbing a lock of hair between the fingers near the ear.
The rales appear following atelectasis and processes that involve filling the alveoli (such as pulmonary edema). Furthermore, they are among the signs of interstitial lung disease (eg pulmonary fibrosis).
Possible Causes * of Rantoli
- Lung Abscess
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchiolitis
- Bronchitis
- croup
- Respiratory Distress
- Pulmonary edema
- Lassa fever
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- melioidosis
- Pneumonia
- Parainfluenza syndromes
- Tuberculosis
- Lung cancer
