1 Introduction -- 2 Metallic point contacts as a physical tool -- 3 Fundamentals of PCS theory -- 4 Experimental techniques -- 5 PCS of quasiparticle excitations -- 6 PCS of nonphononic scattering mechanisms -- 7 Thermal effects in point contacts -- 8 Point contacts in the magnetic field -- 9 Electrical fluctuations in point contacts -- 10 Point contacts under irradiation -- 11 PCS of semimetal…