Egophony
Summary
Egophony is a change in voice resonance where the patient says 'E' and it sounds like a nasal 'A' on auscultation, indicating consolidated lung tissue. Reflects altered acoustic properties of consolidation.
Detail
Egophony occurs when consolidation changes the acoustic impedance of lung tissue, causing selective amplification of higher-frequency voice components. The 'E' sound becomes indistinguishable from 'A' to the listener. Egophony has moderate sensitivity (~50-60%) and high specificity (~80-90%) for pneumonia. It is absent over pleural effusions and pneumothorax. In combination with bronchophony, whispered pectoriloquy, crackles, and dullness to percussion, egophony supports the diagnosis of consolidation.
Sources
- First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
- Pathoma
- Bates' Guide to Physical Examination
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