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Digital clubbing: have we lost its anatomical form and clinical relevance
Author(s) -
Benninger Brion
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.lb36
Subject(s) - medicine , specialty , palpation , etiology , physical examination , population , pathological , medline , medical literature , clinical significance , intensive care medicine , pathology , surgery , environmental health , political science , law
Hippocrates first described digital clubbing (DC) in a patient with empyema in the 5 th century BC. Although the majority of medical trainees and qualified clinicians are aware of DC, few can confirm its diagnosis and are unable to discuss its associations with multiple systems despite its prevalence in the population. DC can be diagnosed with the combination of observation, provocative testing, and palpation. The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnosis of DC, its associations with the body's systems, radiological diagnosis and its fate regarding treatment. METHODS Literature search was conducted on journals, specialty texts and websites regarding DC, its medical associations, radiological diagnosis and its role in physical examination. RESULTS Literature search revealed that DC could be confirmed using x‐ray. No contemporary articles or studies described its use during clinical examination or its fate. DISCUSSION DC is a relatively well‐known term. Few qualified clinicians and fewer trainees can discuss its diagnosis, pathological associations, clinical exam integration or its fate. DC will subside with successful treatment of the associated pathology. CONCLUSION This study suggests with anatomical and etiological understanding of DC, health care providers can diagnose and link it to one of its several pathologies and monitor the pathology with the presence of DC.