Mayo Medical School

Josef Leopold Auenbrugger: the inventor of percussion

Who more appropriate to discover percussion in the human form than a Viennese-trained physician? Josef Leopold Auenbrugger invented the technique of percussing the patient’s chest in 1754, just two years before Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth in 1756.

The son of an innkeeper, Auenbrugger is said to have tapped wine barrels in his father’s cellar as a boy to find out how full they were. Little would one expect that this percussive background would lead to a medical breakthrough. Later in life he became a composer and wrote an opera for Austrian Empress Marie Theresa.

Auenbrugger described the lung as sounding like a drum with a heavy cloth over it. When the lung is full, stated Auenbrugger, such as in the case of pneumonia, the sound is similar to tapping the fleshy part of the thigh. Auenbrugger practiced these techniques on cadavers. He injected fluid into the pleural cavity and created a science around when and where efforts should be made for its removal.

These observations were published in a small book, now considered a medical classic. Called Inventum Novum, the full English title is A New Discovery that Enables the Physician from the Percussion of the Human Thorax to Detect the Diseases Hidden Within the Chest (and hence, the shorter, more common title).

What is a great story—albeit true—without rejection and shame? His ideas rejected and forced to resign his commission in his current post, Auenbrugger showed understanding of human nature in the following statement: “I have not been unconscious of the dangers I must encounter, since it has always been the fate of those who have illustrated or improved the arts and sciences by their discovery, to be beset by envy, malice, hatred, detraction, and calumny.”

Auenbrugger’s work did eventually rise out of obscurity largely through the exposure of Jean Nicolas Corvisart, Napoleon’s favorite physician. Corvisart, who also influenced René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec, inventor of the stethoscope, led a school of medicine that hoped to correlate the clinical exam to pathologic findings. Corvisart taught the method of percussion to his students and in 1808 translated and published the book with annotations—just a year before Auenbrugger’s death. Ironically, Auenbrugger may not have known about this translation that spread rapidly among the medical community.

To some the physical exam is defunct, supplanted by scans and lab. Two hundred and fifty years later, the technique of percussion is still a cornerstone of the art of the physical exam. Next time you percuss an ascitic abdomen or tap out the level of a pleural effusion, think back to Leopold Auenbrugger, his Inventum Novum, and the birth of the modern physical exam. TH

Josef Leopold Auenbrugger: the inventor of percussion

Who more appropriate to discover percussion in the human form than a Viennese-trained physician? Josef Leopold Auenbrugger invented the technique of percussing the patient’s chest in 1754, just two years before Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth in 1756.

The son of an innkeeper, Auenbrugger is said to have tapped wine barrels in his father’s cellar as a boy to find out how full they were. Little would one expect that this percussive background would lead to a medical breakthrough. Later in life he became a composer and wrote an opera for Austrian Empress Marie Theresa.

Auenbrugger described the lung as sounding like a drum with a heavy cloth over it. When the lung is full, stated Auenbrugger, such as in the case of pneumonia, the sound is similar to tapping the fleshy part of the thigh. Auenbrugger practiced these techniques on cadavers. He injected fluid into the pleural cavity and created a science around when and where efforts should be made for its removal.

These observations were published in a small book, now considered a medical classic. Called Inventum Novum, the full English title is A New Discovery that Enables the Physician from the Percussion of the Human Thorax to Detect the Diseases Hidden Within the Chest (and hence, the shorter, more common title).

What is a great story—albeit true—without rejection and shame? His ideas rejected and forced to resign his commission in his current post, Auenbrugger showed understanding of human nature in the following statement: “I have not been unconscious of the dangers I must encounter, since it has always been the fate of those who have illustrated or improved the arts and sciences by their discovery, to be beset by envy, malice, hatred, detraction, and calumny.”

Auenbrugger’s work did eventually rise out of obscurity largely through the exposure of Jean Nicolas Corvisart, Napoleon’s favorite physician. Corvisart, who also influenced René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec, inventor of the stethoscope, led a school of medicine that hoped to correlate the clinical exam to pathologic findings. Corvisart taught the method of percussion to his students and in 1808 translated and published the book with annotations—just a year before Auenbrugger’s death. Ironically, Auenbrugger may not have known about this translation that spread rapidly among the medical community.

To some the physical exam is defunct, supplanted by scans and lab. Two hundred and fifty years later, the technique of percussion is still a cornerstone of the art of the physical exam. Next time you percuss an ascitic abdomen or tap out the level of a pleural effusion, think back to Leopold Auenbrugger, his Inventum Novum, and the birth of the modern physical exam. TH

Josef Leopold Auenbrugger: the inventor of percussion

Who more appropriate to discover percussion in the human form than a Viennese-trained physician? Josef Leopold Auenbrugger invented the technique of percussing the patient’s chest in 1754, just two years before Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth in 1756.

The son of an innkeeper, Auenbrugger is said to have tapped wine barrels in his father’s cellar as a boy to find out how full they were. Little would one expect that this percussive background would lead to a medical breakthrough. Later in life he became a composer and wrote an opera for Austrian Empress Marie Theresa.

Auenbrugger described the lung as sounding like a drum with a heavy cloth over it. When the lung is full, stated Auenbrugger, such as in the case of pneumonia, the sound is similar to tapping the fleshy part of the thigh. Auenbrugger practiced these techniques on cadavers. He injected fluid into the pleural cavity and created a science around when and where efforts should be made for its removal.

These observations were published in a small book, now considered a medical classic. Called Inventum Novum, the full English title is A New Discovery that Enables the Physician from the Percussion of the Human Thorax to Detect the Diseases Hidden Within the Chest (and hence, the shorter, more common title).

What is a great story—albeit true—without rejection and shame? His ideas rejected and forced to resign his commission in his current post, Auenbrugger showed understanding of human nature in the following statement: “I have not been unconscious of the dangers I must encounter, since it has always been the fate of those who have illustrated or improved the arts and sciences by their discovery, to be beset by envy, malice, hatred, detraction, and calumny.”

Auenbrugger’s work did eventually rise out of obscurity largely through the exposure of Jean Nicolas Corvisart, Napoleon’s favorite physician. Corvisart, who also influenced René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec, inventor of the stethoscope, led a school of medicine that hoped to correlate the clinical exam to pathologic findings. Corvisart taught the method of percussion to his students and in 1808 translated and published the book with annotations—just a year before Auenbrugger’s death. Ironically, Auenbrugger may not have known about this translation that spread rapidly among the medical community.

To some the physical exam is defunct, supplanted by scans and lab. Two hundred and fifty years later, the technique of percussion is still a cornerstone of the art of the physical exam. Next time you percuss an ascitic abdomen or tap out the level of a pleural effusion, think back to Leopold Auenbrugger, his Inventum Novum, and the birth of the modern physical exam. TH

A61-year-old farmer from Iowa with a medical history significant for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in remission presented for evaluation and treatment of two ulcerating lesions, located on his left forearm and left thigh of two months’ duration. He denied a history of pulmonary symptoms, fever, or unintentional weight loss. Physical examination was negative for lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. Two large, beefy hyperkeratotic plaques with an underlying border with pustules were noted. The lesion shown is on the left lateral leg and is 5.3 x 4.0 cm.

What is your diagnosis:

1. Cutaneous sarcoidosis;
2. Recurrent lymphoma with skin metastasis;
3. Blastomycosis;
4. Pyoderma gangrenosum; or
5. Anthrax.

Discussion

The answer is C: blastomycosis. A pathology specimen from a left arm skin punch biopsy was read as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, dermal abscess, and broad-based yeast organisms suggestive of blastomycosis. Fungal cultures grew a white-like colony of hyphae suggestive of blastomycosis. DNA probe was positive for blastomycosis dermatitidis. Interestingly, his fungal serologies were negative. The patient was started on itraconazole 200 mg twice daily.

Blastomycosis typically presents in one of two ways:

1. Pulmonary infection and/or
2. Cutaneous infection.

Typically, the spores of Blastomyces dermatitidis are inhaled from the soil, decomposed vegetation, or rotting wood, and the respiratory system is the first site of infection. Occupations with frequent outdoor exposure in highly endemic areas (including the southeastern states of the United States) connote increased risk. Case series have documented inoculation arising after outdoor activities in the woods near water sources.

Although pulmonary infection is subclinical in 50% of inhalational cases, one study found that pulmonary manifestations were present in 154 of 170 cases (91%) with cough (90%), fever (75%), night sweats (68%), weight loss (66%), chest pain (63%), dyspnea (54%), and aches (50%). Therefore, respiratory symptoms may signal the disease.

According to another review of 100 cases in an endemic area, pulmonary blastomycosis should be considered for any pulmonary infiltrate, especially in the upper lobes. For this patient, because there were no pulmonary symptoms or cutaneous trauma, the most likely etiology is via hematogenous spread. However, whereas the chest radiograph did not show classic signs of blastomycosis (one or more densely consolidated areas of pneumonia or nodular infiltrates), it did show slight fibrosis and pleural thickenings in the apices that is occasionally associated with blastomycosis infection.

As in this case, a presenting cutaneous lesion may be the first sign of disease. The cutaneous findings are usually the result of hematogenous spread; however, uncommon primary cutaneous blastomycosis can occur after direct inoculation from trauma to the skin. Classically, they are described as well-demarcated papulopustules and verrucous plaques with central scarring and black crusting. But the skin lesions can present in many forms and often confound the differential diagnosis. Other cutaneous infectious etiologies include verrucae, nocardiosis, cutaneous tuberculosis, and other dimorphic fungi. However, other dimorphic fungi are less likely to infect the skin. Inflammatory conditions, such as pyoderma gangrenosum and sarcoidosis, must be considered. Ulcerating squamous cell carcinoma is also a consideration.

Blastomycosis is recognized histologically by its broad-based budding and thick, double-contoured walls of the yeast forms found at body temperature (37º C) while it grows as tan or white mold at room temperature. Cultures can be drawn from sputum, pus, or urine. Severe disease often requires systemic antifungal treatment, whereas more moderate to mild disease can be treated topically. TH

References

1. Baumgardner DJ, Halsmer SE, Eagan G. Symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis: northern Wisconsin, United States. Wilderness Environ Med. 2004;15:250-256.
2. Patel RG, Patel B, Petrini MF, et al. Clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and diagnostic methods of pulmonary blastomycosis: a review of 100 consecutive cases. South Med J. 1999;92:289-295.
3. Bolognia J, ed. Dermatology. Barcelona, Spain: Mosby; 2003.
4. Kasper DL, ed. Harrison’s Online Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.

A61-year-old farmer from Iowa with a medical history significant for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in remission presented for evaluation and treatment of two ulcerating lesions, located on his left forearm and left thigh of two months’ duration. He denied a history of pulmonary symptoms, fever, or unintentional weight loss. Physical examination was negative for lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. Two large, beefy hyperkeratotic plaques with an underlying border with pustules were noted. The lesion shown is on the left lateral leg and is 5.3 x 4.0 cm.

What is your diagnosis:

1. Cutaneous sarcoidosis;
2. Recurrent lymphoma with skin metastasis;
3. Blastomycosis;
4. Pyoderma gangrenosum; or
5. Anthrax.

Discussion

The answer is C: blastomycosis. A pathology specimen from a left arm skin punch biopsy was read as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, dermal abscess, and broad-based yeast organisms suggestive of blastomycosis. Fungal cultures grew a white-like colony of hyphae suggestive of blastomycosis. DNA probe was positive for blastomycosis dermatitidis. Interestingly, his fungal serologies were negative. The patient was started on itraconazole 200 mg twice daily.

Blastomycosis typically presents in one of two ways:

1. Pulmonary infection and/or
2. Cutaneous infection.

Typically, the spores of Blastomyces dermatitidis are inhaled from the soil, decomposed vegetation, or rotting wood, and the respiratory system is the first site of infection. Occupations with frequent outdoor exposure in highly endemic areas (including the southeastern states of the United States) connote increased risk. Case series have documented inoculation arising after outdoor activities in the woods near water sources.

Although pulmonary infection is subclinical in 50% of inhalational cases, one study found that pulmonary manifestations were present in 154 of 170 cases (91%) with cough (90%), fever (75%), night sweats (68%), weight loss (66%), chest pain (63%), dyspnea (54%), and aches (50%). Therefore, respiratory symptoms may signal the disease.

According to another review of 100 cases in an endemic area, pulmonary blastomycosis should be considered for any pulmonary infiltrate, especially in the upper lobes. For this patient, because there were no pulmonary symptoms or cutaneous trauma, the most likely etiology is via hematogenous spread. However, whereas the chest radiograph did not show classic signs of blastomycosis (one or more densely consolidated areas of pneumonia or nodular infiltrates), it did show slight fibrosis and pleural thickenings in the apices that is occasionally associated with blastomycosis infection.

As in this case, a presenting cutaneous lesion may be the first sign of disease. The cutaneous findings are usually the result of hematogenous spread; however, uncommon primary cutaneous blastomycosis can occur after direct inoculation from trauma to the skin. Classically, they are described as well-demarcated papulopustules and verrucous plaques with central scarring and black crusting. But the skin lesions can present in many forms and often confound the differential diagnosis. Other cutaneous infectious etiologies include verrucae, nocardiosis, cutaneous tuberculosis, and other dimorphic fungi. However, other dimorphic fungi are less likely to infect the skin. Inflammatory conditions, such as pyoderma gangrenosum and sarcoidosis, must be considered. Ulcerating squamous cell carcinoma is also a consideration.

Blastomycosis is recognized histologically by its broad-based budding and thick, double-contoured walls of the yeast forms found at body temperature (37º C) while it grows as tan or white mold at room temperature. Cultures can be drawn from sputum, pus, or urine. Severe disease often requires systemic antifungal treatment, whereas more moderate to mild disease can be treated topically. TH

References

1. Baumgardner DJ, Halsmer SE, Eagan G. Symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis: northern Wisconsin, United States. Wilderness Environ Med. 2004;15:250-256.
2. Patel RG, Patel B, Petrini MF, et al. Clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and diagnostic methods of pulmonary blastomycosis: a review of 100 consecutive cases. South Med J. 1999;92:289-295.
3. Bolognia J, ed. Dermatology. Barcelona, Spain: Mosby; 2003.
4. Kasper DL, ed. Harrison’s Online Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.

A61-year-old farmer from Iowa with a medical history significant for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in remission presented for evaluation and treatment of two ulcerating lesions, located on his left forearm and left thigh of two months’ duration. He denied a history of pulmonary symptoms, fever, or unintentional weight loss. Physical examination was negative for lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. Two large, beefy hyperkeratotic plaques with an underlying border with pustules were noted. The lesion shown is on the left lateral leg and is 5.3 x 4.0 cm.

What is your diagnosis:

1. Cutaneous sarcoidosis;
2. Recurrent lymphoma with skin metastasis;
3. Blastomycosis;
4. Pyoderma gangrenosum; or
5. Anthrax.

Discussion

The answer is C: blastomycosis. A pathology specimen from a left arm skin punch biopsy was read as pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, dermal abscess, and broad-based yeast organisms suggestive of blastomycosis. Fungal cultures grew a white-like colony of hyphae suggestive of blastomycosis. DNA probe was positive for blastomycosis dermatitidis. Interestingly, his fungal serologies were negative. The patient was started on itraconazole 200 mg twice daily.

Blastomycosis typically presents in one of two ways:

1. Pulmonary infection and/or
2. Cutaneous infection.

Typically, the spores of Blastomyces dermatitidis are inhaled from the soil, decomposed vegetation, or rotting wood, and the respiratory system is the first site of infection. Occupations with frequent outdoor exposure in highly endemic areas (including the southeastern states of the United States) connote increased risk. Case series have documented inoculation arising after outdoor activities in the woods near water sources.

Although pulmonary infection is subclinical in 50% of inhalational cases, one study found that pulmonary manifestations were present in 154 of 170 cases (91%) with cough (90%), fever (75%), night sweats (68%), weight loss (66%), chest pain (63%), dyspnea (54%), and aches (50%). Therefore, respiratory symptoms may signal the disease.

According to another review of 100 cases in an endemic area, pulmonary blastomycosis should be considered for any pulmonary infiltrate, especially in the upper lobes. For this patient, because there were no pulmonary symptoms or cutaneous trauma, the most likely etiology is via hematogenous spread. However, whereas the chest radiograph did not show classic signs of blastomycosis (one or more densely consolidated areas of pneumonia or nodular infiltrates), it did show slight fibrosis and pleural thickenings in the apices that is occasionally associated with blastomycosis infection.

As in this case, a presenting cutaneous lesion may be the first sign of disease. The cutaneous findings are usually the result of hematogenous spread; however, uncommon primary cutaneous blastomycosis can occur after direct inoculation from trauma to the skin. Classically, they are described as well-demarcated papulopustules and verrucous plaques with central scarring and black crusting. But the skin lesions can present in many forms and often confound the differential diagnosis. Other cutaneous infectious etiologies include verrucae, nocardiosis, cutaneous tuberculosis, and other dimorphic fungi. However, other dimorphic fungi are less likely to infect the skin. Inflammatory conditions, such as pyoderma gangrenosum and sarcoidosis, must be considered. Ulcerating squamous cell carcinoma is also a consideration.

Blastomycosis is recognized histologically by its broad-based budding and thick, double-contoured walls of the yeast forms found at body temperature (37º C) while it grows as tan or white mold at room temperature. Cultures can be drawn from sputum, pus, or urine. Severe disease often requires systemic antifungal treatment, whereas more moderate to mild disease can be treated topically. TH

References

1. Baumgardner DJ, Halsmer SE, Eagan G. Symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis: northern Wisconsin, United States. Wilderness Environ Med. 2004;15:250-256.
2. Patel RG, Patel B, Petrini MF, et al. Clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and diagnostic methods of pulmonary blastomycosis: a review of 100 consecutive cases. South Med J. 1999;92:289-295.
3. Bolognia J, ed. Dermatology. Barcelona, Spain: Mosby; 2003.
4. Kasper DL, ed. Harrison’s Online Principles of Internal Medicine. 16th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2005.