Tracheal Deviation
How to Elicit
- Inspect the trachea and palpate gently, to identify deviation to either side.
Causes of Tracheal Deviation
- Volume loss - lobectomy, pneumonectomy, significant atelectasis
- Volume expansion - tension pneumothorax, large pleural effusion
Interpretation
- Tracheal deviation toward the affected side - occurs due to volume loss
- Tracheal deviation away from the affected side - occurs due to volume expansion
Tracheal Tug
How to Elicit
- Ask the patient to breath in deeply, looking for downward movement of the trachea.
Significance
- Suggestive of airway obstruction.
Note
- Oliver's sign, also known as tracheal tug, involves downward movement of the trachea on systole and is indicative of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
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