Pleural Friction Rub

Excerpt

A pleural friction rub is an adventitious breath sound heard on auscultation of the lung. The pleural rub sound results from the movement of inflamed and roughened pleural surfaces against one another during movement of the chest wall. This sound is non-musical and described as “grating,” “creaky,” or “the sound made by walking on fresh snow.” It is often heard in the upper lung fields. Any potential cause of pleural effusion, pleuritis, or serositis can result in a pleural friction rub. Patients may be able to describe the localization of the rub based on pain. A pleural friction rub is a manifestation of pleural disease, though its absence does not exclude this pathology. The finding of a pleural friction rub requires prompt recognition and action on the part of the physician.