Exam

Hamman's Crunch

search

Hamman's Crunch, Hamman Crunch, Hamman Sign, Hamman's Sign

  • Pathophysiology
  1. Heart beat is audible as the Pericardium comes in contact with mediastinal air (Mediastinal Emphysema)
  • Signs
  1. Crunching sound over the precordium synchronized with the heartbeat (especially in left lateral decubitus position)
  1. Tracheobronchial tree injury
  2. Esophageal Rupture
  3. Left Spontaneous Pneumothorax
  • References
  1. Collins (1994) J Fam Pract 38(3):284-6 [PubMed]