Biermer's Sound Change
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Biermer's sound change is an alteration in the pitch of tympanic percussion sounds when a patient changes position, observed in hydro- and pyopneumothorax. The sound rises in the recumbent position and lowers in the upright position due to differences in the transverse diameter of the pleural cavity.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
BIERMER'S SOUND CHANGE (Biermer), reduces to a lowering or raising of the pitch of the tympanic percussion sound. It occurs in patients with hydro- and pyopneumothorax upon a change of position. In the recumbent position, the percussion sound becomes higher in pitch; in the upright position, it becomes lower. The changes in sound pitch depend on the differing transverse diameter of the pleural cavity during the recumbent position (larger transverse diameter) and the standing position of the patient (smaller transverse diameter).
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Cite this page
“Biermer's Sound Change.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/biermers-sound-change/