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Screening of hypothyroidism
is easily obtained by placing a stethoscope over the epigastrium
and measuring the time of the gurgling after swallowing
a drink of water.
In 101 controls, the normal interval was 8.0 ± .96 s
in the standing or sitting positions and 8.3 ± 1.0 s
in the recumbent position.
In three patients
with hypothyroidism, intervals of 11, 11 and 13 s
were found in the standing position. Apart from organic
dysphagias, abnormal intervals were found only in liver
cirrhoses (mean 9.5 ± 1.6 s, n 19) and
diabetes mellitus (9.3 ± 1.6 s, n 27).
Values comparable to those found in hypothyroidism were
never found in controls, even in the upper age groups
and were recorded in only four patients with cirrhosis
and in three diabetics.
The “Delayed gurgle sign” seems appropriate
for screening hypothyroidism.
- Besançon F,
Zahr-Eldine Z:
Le signe du gargouillement retardé, à l’auscultation
de l’épigastre, dans le dépistage des
hypothyroïdies.
Sem hôp 1987; 63 (46): 3579-3581
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