Bronchophony is a test where a patient says “99” and if the sound is clear, it may indicate lung problems. Other tests include whispered pectoral, tactile thrill, and egophony. These tests can help diagnose lung consolidation, which may be caused by pneumonia, asthma, or cancer. An X-ray is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Doctors often listen to the lungs, using a stethoscope or other listening device, to hear the sounds the body makes on its own. When sound passes perhaps too well through the lungs, this phenomenon is called pectoriloquism. These sounds are divided into several categories, with a certain dynamic called bronchophony. This occurs when normal vocal volume is delivered without cushioning the lungs, often due to conditions such as pneumonia or even cancer.
With the stethoscope on either side of the chest, the seated patient is asked to slowly say the number “99” several times in a row. With normal bronchophony, words will sound muffled and unable to discern. If the words are clear enough to be heard, abnormal bronchophony may be diagnosed.
When the lungs are functioning normally, its tissue usually filters out the clear noises made by the voice box. These acoustics decreased when bronchophony was compromised. This allows the sound to be heard more clearly in the lungs. A doctor will rule out this phenomenon if the sound is not distinct enough to distinguish the number.
Bronchophonia is just one of several speech transmission tests that doctors can use to determine if a patient has breathing problems. Another similar test is called the whispered pectoral test. This involves the patient softly whispering the number “99” several times slowly. If the doctor can hear the number clearly through the stethoscope, the test will come back positive. Otherwise, the number will be inaudible or, at least, completely indecipherable. Yet another test, called tactile thrill, has the patient say “99” while feeling excessive vibrations on the lungs.
Another test similar to bronchophony examines the lungs for egophony, during which an “EEE” sound results in an “AAA” sound. Listening on each lung with a stethoscope, the doctor will tell the patient to maintain an “EEE” sound in a clear, audible voice. If the sound transmitted through auscultation is closer to “AAA,” the doctor will suspect egophony.
These tests can provide at least a tentative diagnosis of lung consolidation in which the lungs fill with fluid. This could be caused by pneumonia, but other conditions, such as asthma and even cancer, can cause it. To confirm the diagnosis, an X-ray of the lungs will be able to identify the location and severity of the consolidation.
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