The bruit-occlusion test: a clinical method for localizing arterial stenosis.

The bruit-occlusion test is accomplished by listening to a bruit whilst occluding and releasing an efferent artery, e.g. bruit in the groin, occluding the superficial femoral artery. If the bruit disappears, that efferent artery is stenosed. Changes in intensity of the bruit imply stenosis in the parent or alternate efferent vessels. The test is useful in the follow-up of aortofemoral and particularly femoropopliteal vein grafts. It can be applied in the abdomen and neck. This simple manoeuvre can be added to a vascular examination whenever a bruit is discovered. It often allows specific anatomical diagnosis and can be more reliable than arteriography.