[Percussion-auscultation syndrome of carnitine deficiency]

Up till now it has been possible to demonstrate carnitine deficiency, after separating non esterified carnitine and acyl-carnitines, by some sophisticated assays: photometric methods, enzymatic and radio-enzymatic-methods, gas chromatography, HPLC, mass spectrometry. This diagnostic approach is not easy for the general practitioner; therefore, the diagnosis of carnitine deficiency is often delayed and delegated to the specialist. In this paper signs of the syndrome and how to find them by the aid of auscultatory percussion are fully described for the first time. This knowledge will be helpful to the general practitioner both from technical point of view--diagnosis of carnitine deficiency--and for monitoring the results of therapy.