We analysed lung sounds of 53 asbestos workers who had bilateral basal crackles by sound spectrograms with corresponding time expanded wave-forms to elucidate the basic features of crackles and to examine the relationship of crackle features to radiographic findings of asbestosis.
1) Fine crackles were classified into four patterns in terms of sound spectrograph and time expanded wave-form analysis. These four patterns were apparently correlated to stages in radiographic findings of asbestosis.
2) The number of crackles per inspiration significantly increased as radiographic abnormalities progressed.
3) Concerning results of wave form analysis by the zero crossing method, it was found that crackles both on inspiration and on expiration were fine; however, when radiographic changes showed honeycombing, inspiratory crackles changed from fine to medium.
Thus, we have shown that lung sound analysis is of value for monitoring asbestos workers.
抄録全体を表示