Cranial auscultation

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Cranial auscultation
Purposeintracranial bruits

increased intracranial pressure.[citation needed
]

Clinical observations

The following extract details a method of performing cranial auscultation:

A bruit should be listened for, in quiet surroundings, over the skull and eyeballs, the latter situation being the most favourable for hearing the softest ones. The patient should be asked to close both eyes gently and the stethoscope firmly applied over one eye. During auscultation the other eye should be opened as in this way there is considerable diminution of eyelid flutter, which may cause confusion if rhythmical. Auscultation is then carried out over the other eye in a similar manner. If a murmur is not readily heard the patient should be asked to hold his breath. Finally auscultation should be carried out over the

References