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Crackles

MedGen UID:
11118
Concept ID:
C0034642
Finding
Synonyms: Crackle; Rale; Rales
SNOMED CT: Respiratory crackles (48409008); Rales (48409008); Respiratory crepitations (48409008)
 
HPO: HP:0030830

Definition

Crackles are discontinuous, explosive, and nonmusical adventitious lung sounds normally heard in inspiration and sometimes during expiration. Crackles are usually classified as fine and coarse crackles based on their duration, loudness, pitch, timing in the respiratory cycle, and relationship to coughing and changing body position. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease
MedGen UID:
140788
Concept ID:
C0403529
Disease or Syndrome
A rare, fulminant small vessel vasculitis that affects the capillary beds of the kidneys and lungs and characterized by the presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and, in its full-blown form, anti-alveolar basement membrane (ABM) antibodies. Consequently, it may manifest as a rapidly progressive, isolated glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM nephritis) or as a pulmonary-renal syndrome with severe lung hemorrhage.
Diffuse panbronchiolitis
MedGen UID:
163897
Concept ID:
C0878555
Disease or Syndrome
Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a rare chronic inflammatory obstructive pulmonary disease primarily affecting the respiratory bronchioles. 'Diffuse' refers to the distribution of the lesions throughout both lungs, and 'pan-' refers to the involvement of inflammation in all layers of the respiratory bronchioles. Onset of the disorder occurs in the second to fifth decade of life, and is clinically manifest by chronic cough, exertional dyspnea, and sputum production. Most patients also have chronic paranasal sinusitis. If untreated, the disorder progresses to bronchiectasis, respiratory failure, and death (summary by Poletti et al., 2006).
Brain-lung-thyroid syndrome
MedGen UID:
369694
Concept ID:
C1970269
Disease or Syndrome
NKX2-1-related disorders range from benign hereditary chorea (BHC) to choreoathetosis, congenital hypothyroidism, and neonatal respiratory distress (also known as brain-lung-thyroid syndrome). Childhood-onset chorea, the hallmark of NKX2-1-related disorders, may or may not be associated with respiratory distress syndrome or congenital hypothyroidism. Chorea generally begins in early infancy or about age one year (most commonly) or in late childhood or adolescence, and progresses into the second decade after which it remains static or (rarely) remits. Pulmonary disease, the second most common manifestation, can include respiratory distress syndrome in neonates, interstitial lung disease in young children, and pulmonary fibrosis in older persons. The risk for pulmonary carcinoma is increased in young adults with an NKX2-1-related disorder. Thyroid dysfunction, the result of dysembryogenesis, can present as congenital hypothyroidism or compensated hypothyroidism. The risk for thyroid cancer is unknown and may not be increased. In one review, 50% of affected individuals had the full brain-lung-thyroid syndrome, 30% had involvement of brain and thyroid only, and 13% had isolated chorea only.
Pulmonary fibrosis and/or bone marrow failure, Telomere-related, 1
MedGen UID:
766531
Concept ID:
C3553617
Disease or Syndrome
Dyskeratosis congenita and related telomere biology disorders (DC/TBD) are caused by impaired telomere maintenance resulting in short or very short telomeres. The phenotypic spectrum of telomere biology disorders is broad and includes individuals with classic dyskeratosis congenita (DC) as well as those with very short telomeres and an isolated physical finding. Classic DC is characterized by a triad of dysplastic nails, lacy reticular pigmentation of the upper chest and/or neck, and oral leukoplakia, although this may not be present in all individuals. People with DC/TBD are at increased risk for progressive bone marrow failure (BMF), myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myelogenous leukemia, solid tumors (usually squamous cell carcinoma of the head/neck or anogenital cancer), and pulmonary fibrosis. Other findings can include eye abnormalities (epiphora, blepharitis, sparse eyelashes, ectropion, entropion, trichiasis), taurodontism, liver disease, gastrointestinal telangiectasias, and avascular necrosis of the hips or shoulders. Although most persons with DC/TBD have normal psychomotor development and normal neurologic function, significant developmental delay is present in both forms; additional findings include cerebellar hypoplasia (Hoyeraal Hreidarsson syndrome) and bilateral exudative retinopathy and intracranial calcifications (Revesz syndrome and Coats plus syndrome). Onset and progression of manifestations of DC/TBD vary: at the mild end of the spectrum are those who have only minimal physical findings with normal bone marrow function, and at the severe end are those who have the diagnostic triad and early-onset BMF.
Interstitial lung disease 1
MedGen UID:
1794231
Concept ID:
C5562021
Disease or Syndrome
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) comprises a heterogeneous group of rare diseases affecting the distal part of the lung and characterized by a progressive remodeling of the alveolar interstitium. The manifestations form a spectrum ranging from idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) or pneumonitis to the more severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer, which occurs in a subset of patients with ILD. Clinical features of ILD include dyspnea, clubbing of the fingers, and restrictive lung capacity. Imaging typically shows ground glass opacities and inter- and intraseptal thickening, while histologic studies usually show a pattern consistent with 'usual interstitial pneumonia' (UIP) (summary by Nathan et al., 2016, Doubkova et al., 2019). Genetic Heterogeneity of Interstitial Lung Disease See also ILD2 (178500), caused by mutation in the SFTPA2 gene (178642) on chromosome 10q22.
Respiratory infections, recurrent, and failure to thrive with or without diarrhea
MedGen UID:
1824079
Concept ID:
C5774306
Disease or Syndrome
Recurrent respiratory infections and failure to thrive with or without diarrhea (RIFTD) is characterized by neonatal onset of chronic cough, episodic wheezing, recurrent lower respiratory tract infections, chronic diarrhea, and failure to thrive. Despite the resemblance to cystic fibrosis (CF; 219700), these patients have normal sweat chloride and pancreatic elastase tests (Bertoli-Avella et al., 2022).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Narváez J, Aburto M, Seoane-Mato D, Bonilla G, Acosta O, Candelas G, Cano-Jiménez E, Castellví I, González-Ruiz JM, Corominas H, López-Muñiz B, Martín-López M, Robles-Pérez A, Mena-Vázquez N, Rodríguez-Portal JA, Ortiz AM, Sabater-Abad C, Castrejón I, Dos Santos R, Garrote-Corral S, Maese J, Silva-Fernández L, Castañeda S, Valenzuela C
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) 2023 Feb;19(2):74-81. Epub 2022 Jun 23 doi: 10.1016/j.reumae.2021.12.003. PMID: 35753951
Munchel JK, Shea BS
R I Med J (2013) 2021 Sep 1;104(7):26-29. PMID: 34437662
Baraldi E, Lanari M, Manzoni P, Rossi GA, Vandini S, Rimini A, Romagnoli C, Colonna P, Biondi A, Biban P, Chiamenti G, Bernardini R, Picca M, Cappa M, Magazzù G, Catassi C, Urbino AF, Memo L, Donzelli G, Minetti C, Paravati F, Di Mauro G, Festini F, Esposito S, Corsello G
Ital J Pediatr 2014 Oct 24;40:65. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-40-65. PMID: 25344148Free PMC Article

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Zhang L, Mendoza-Sassi RA, Wainwright CE, Aregbesola A, Klassen TP
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023 Apr 4;4(4):CD006458. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006458.pub5. PMID: 37014057Free PMC Article
Narváez J, Aburto M, Seoane-Mato D, Bonilla G, Acosta O, Candelas G, Cano-Jiménez E, Castellví I, González-Ruiz JM, Corominas H, López-Muñiz B, Martín-López M, Robles-Pérez A, Mena-Vázquez N, Rodríguez-Portal JA, Ortiz AM, Sabater-Abad C, Castrejón I, Dos Santos R, Garrote-Corral S, Maese J, Silva-Fernández L, Castañeda S, Valenzuela C
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) 2023 Feb;19(2):74-81. Epub 2022 Jun 23 doi: 10.1016/j.reumae.2021.12.003. PMID: 35753951
Aviles-Solis JC, Jácome C, Davidsen A, Einarsen R, Vanbelle S, Pasterkamp H, Melbye H
BMC Pulm Med 2019 Sep 11;19(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12890-019-0928-1. PMID: 31511003Free PMC Article
Baraldi E, Lanari M, Manzoni P, Rossi GA, Vandini S, Rimini A, Romagnoli C, Colonna P, Biondi A, Biban P, Chiamenti G, Bernardini R, Picca M, Cappa M, Magazzù G, Catassi C, Urbino AF, Memo L, Donzelli G, Minetti C, Paravati F, Di Mauro G, Festini F, Esposito S, Corsello G
Ital J Pediatr 2014 Oct 24;40:65. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-40-65. PMID: 25344148Free PMC Article
Hoevers J, Loudon RG
Chest 1990 Nov;98(5):1240-3. doi: 10.1378/chest.98.5.1240. PMID: 2225972

Diagnosis

Narváez J, Aburto M, Seoane-Mato D, Bonilla G, Acosta O, Candelas G, Cano-Jiménez E, Castellví I, González-Ruiz JM, Corominas H, López-Muñiz B, Martín-López M, Robles-Pérez A, Mena-Vázquez N, Rodríguez-Portal JA, Ortiz AM, Sabater-Abad C, Castrejón I, Dos Santos R, Garrote-Corral S, Maese J, Silva-Fernández L, Castañeda S, Valenzuela C
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) 2023 Feb;19(2):74-81. Epub 2022 Jun 23 doi: 10.1016/j.reumae.2021.12.003. PMID: 35753951
Smith DK, Kuckel DP, Recidoro AM
Am Fam Physician 2021 Dec 1;104(6):618-625. PMID: 34913645
Munchel JK, Shea BS
R I Med J (2013) 2021 Sep 1;104(7):26-29. PMID: 34437662
Watts MM, Grammer LC
Allergy Asthma Proc 2019 Nov 1;40(6):425-428. doi: 10.2500/aap.2019.40.4263. PMID: 31690386
Dominguez OJ Jr
Emerg Med Serv 2002 Apr;31(4):87. PMID: 11963614

Therapy

Virgili F, Nenna R, Di Mattia G, Matera L, Petrarca L, Conti MG, Midulla F
Curr Pediatr Rev 2024;20(3):216-223. doi: 10.2174/0115733963267129230919091338. PMID: 37873951
Zhang L, Mendoza-Sassi RA, Wainwright CE, Aregbesola A, Klassen TP
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023 Apr 4;4(4):CD006458. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006458.pub5. PMID: 37014057Free PMC Article
Simms RW
Arthritis Rheumatol 2020 Sep;72(9):1415-1426. Epub 2020 Aug 9 doi: 10.1002/art.41406. PMID: 32562363
Baraldi E, Lanari M, Manzoni P, Rossi GA, Vandini S, Rimini A, Romagnoli C, Colonna P, Biondi A, Biban P, Chiamenti G, Bernardini R, Picca M, Cappa M, Magazzù G, Catassi C, Urbino AF, Memo L, Donzelli G, Minetti C, Paravati F, Di Mauro G, Festini F, Esposito S, Corsello G
Ital J Pediatr 2014 Oct 24;40:65. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-40-65. PMID: 25344148Free PMC Article
Ruuskanen O, Mertsola J
Semin Respir Infect 1999 Jun;14(2):163-72. PMID: 10391410

Prognosis

Decavèle M, Pichon J, Fajac A, Milon A, Antoine M, Gibelin A, Parrot A, Fartoukh M
Radiology 2024 Mar;310(3):e222275. doi: 10.1148/radiol.222275. PMID: 38530173
Munchel JK, Shea BS
R I Med J (2013) 2021 Sep 1;104(7):26-29. PMID: 34437662
Watts MM, Grammer LC
Allergy Asthma Proc 2019 Nov 1;40(6):425-428. doi: 10.2500/aap.2019.40.4263. PMID: 31690386
Aviles-Solis JC, Jácome C, Davidsen A, Einarsen R, Vanbelle S, Pasterkamp H, Melbye H
BMC Pulm Med 2019 Sep 11;19(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12890-019-0928-1. PMID: 31511003Free PMC Article
Ruuskanen O, Mertsola J
Semin Respir Infect 1999 Jun;14(2):163-72. PMID: 10391410

Clinical prediction guides

Zhang L, Mendoza-Sassi RA, Wainwright CE, Aregbesola A, Klassen TP
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023 Apr 4;4(4):CD006458. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006458.pub5. PMID: 37014057Free PMC Article
Watts MM, Grammer LC
Allergy Asthma Proc 2019 Nov 1;40(6):425-428. doi: 10.2500/aap.2019.40.4263. PMID: 31690386
Aviles-Solis JC, Jácome C, Davidsen A, Einarsen R, Vanbelle S, Pasterkamp H, Melbye H
BMC Pulm Med 2019 Sep 11;19(1):173. doi: 10.1186/s12890-019-0928-1. PMID: 31511003Free PMC Article
Kishaba T
Respir Investig 2019 Jul;57(4):300-311. Epub 2019 Mar 8 doi: 10.1016/j.resinv.2019.02.003. PMID: 30853366
Hoevers J, Loudon RG
Chest 1990 Nov;98(5):1240-3. doi: 10.1378/chest.98.5.1240. PMID: 2225972

Recent systematic reviews

Zhang L, Mendoza-Sassi RA, Wainwright CE, Aregbesola A, Klassen TP
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023 Apr 4;4(4):CD006458. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006458.pub5. PMID: 37014057Free PMC Article
Narváez J, Aburto M, Seoane-Mato D, Bonilla G, Acosta O, Candelas G, Cano-Jiménez E, Castellví I, González-Ruiz JM, Corominas H, López-Muñiz B, Martín-López M, Robles-Pérez A, Mena-Vázquez N, Rodríguez-Portal JA, Ortiz AM, Sabater-Abad C, Castrejón I, Dos Santos R, Garrote-Corral S, Maese J, Silva-Fernández L, Castañeda S, Valenzuela C
Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) 2023 Feb;19(2):74-81. Epub 2022 Jun 23 doi: 10.1016/j.reumae.2021.12.003. PMID: 35753951
Thornton HV, Blair PS, Lovering AM, Muir P, Hay AD
Br J Gen Pract 2015 Feb;65(631):e69-81. doi: 10.3399/bjgp15X683497. PMID: 25624310Free PMC Article
Jácome C, Marques A
COPD 2015 Feb;12(1):104-12. Epub 2014 Jun 10 doi: 10.3109/15412555.2014.908832. PMID: 24914587
Thompson M, Van den Bruel A, Verbakel J, Lakhanpaul M, Haj-Hassan T, Stevens R, Moll H, Buntinx F, Berger M, Aertgeerts B, Oostenbrink R, Mant D
Health Technol Assess 2012;16(15):1-100. doi: 10.3310/hta16150. PMID: 22452986Free PMC Article

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