Abdominal examination.ppt

Abdominal ExaminationAbdominal Examination

H.A.Soleimani MDH.A.Soleimani MD

Gastroenterologist Gastroenterologist

General principles of examGeneral principles of exam

Abdominal ExaminationAbdominal Examination

The History and Physical in The History and Physical in PerspectivePerspective

70%70% of diagnoses can be made based on of diagnoses can be made based on historyhistory alone. alone. 90%90% of diagnoses can be made based on of diagnoses can be made based on history and physical examhistory and physical exam. . Expensive testsExpensive tests often confirm what is often confirm what is found during the found during the history and physicalhistory and physical. .

Equipment for physical examinationEquipment for physical examination

Required Required Stethoscope Stethoscope

Tongue blades Tongue blades Penlight Penlight

Tape measure Tape measure Sphygmomanometer Sphygmomanometer Reflex hammer Reflex hammer Safety pins Safety pins

OptionalOptional GlovesGloves

Gauze padsGauze pads

Lubricant gel Lubricant gel

Nasal speculum Nasal speculum Turning forkTurning fork: : 128 Hz,512Hz128 Hz,512Hz

Pocket visual acuity Pocket visual acuity card card

Oto-ophthalmoscopeOto-ophthalmoscope

Important aspects of physical Important aspects of physical examination----physicianexamination----physician

Elegant appearanceElegant appearance

Decent mannerDecent manner

Kind attitudeKind attitude

Highly responsibilityHighly responsibility

Good medical Good medical moralsmorals

Important aspects of physical Important aspects of physical examination---physicianexamination---physician

Wash your hands, Wash your hands, preferably while the preferably while the patient is watchingpatient is watching

Washing with soap Washing with soap and water is an and water is an effective way to effective way to reduce the reduce the transmission of transmission of diseasedisease

How to perform the physical How to perform the physical examination?examination?

Exposing only the Exposing only the area that are being area that are being examined examined

Offer a chaperone for Offer a chaperone for both sexes.both sexes.

Explain what you're Explain what you're going to dogoing to do

Sequential Sequential

Important aspects of physical Important aspects of physical examinationexamination

The examiner should The examiner should continue speaking to continue speaking to the patientthe patient

Showing care to his Showing care to his disease and answer to disease and answer to patient’s questionspatient’s questions

It can not only release It can not only release patient’s nerviness, but patient’s nerviness, but also help to establish also help to establish the good physician-the good physician-patient relationshippatient relationship

Gloves should be worn when..Gloves should be worn when..

Examining any Examining any individual with individual with exudative lesionsexudative lesions or or weeping dermatitisweeping dermatitis

When handling When handling blood-soiledblood-soiled or or body body fluid-soiledfluid-soiled sheets sheets or clothingor clothing


Good light Good light

Relaxed Relaxed patientpatient

Full exposure Full exposure of abdomenof abdomen


Have the patient Have the patient empty their bladder empty their bladder before examinationbefore examination

Have the patient lie in Have the patient lie in a comfortable, flat, a comfortable, flat, supine positionsupine position

Have them keep their Have them keep their arms at their sides or arms at their sides or folded on the chest folded on the chest


Before the exam, ask Before the exam, ask the patient to the patient to identify identify painful areaspainful areas so that so that you can examine you can examine those areas lastthose areas last

During the exam pay During the exam pay attention to their attention to their facial facial expressionexpression to assess to assess for sign of discomfort for sign of discomfort


Use Use warm handwarm hand, , warm stethoscopewarm stethoscope, , and have and have short finger short finger nails nails

Approach the patient Approach the patient slowlyslowly and and deliberately deliberately explaining explaining what you what you will be doing will be doing


Stand right side of the Stand right side of the bedbed

Exam with right handExam with right handHead just a little Head just a little elevated elevated Ask the patient to Ask the patient to keep the keep the mouth mouth partiallypartially open and open and breathe gentlybreathe gently


If muscles remain If muscles remain tensetense, patient may , patient may be asked to be asked to rest rest feetfeet on table with on table with hipships and and knees knees flexedflexed

Other helpful points on examinationOther helpful points on examination

Take a Take a spare bed spare bed sheetsheet and drape it and drape it over their lower body over their lower body such that it just such that it just covers the upper covers the upper edge of their edge of their underwear underwear


If the patient is If the patient is ticklish ticklish or frightenedor frightenedInitially use the Initially use the patients patients hand under hand under yoursyours as you palpate as you palpate When patient When patient calms calms then use your hands then use your hands to palpate. to palpate. Watch the Watch the patient’s patient’s faceface for discomfort. for discomfort.

Think Think AnatomicallyAnatomically

Think AnatomicallyThink Anatomically

When looking, When looking, listening, feeling and listening, feeling and percussing percussing imagine imagine what organs livewhat organs live in in the area that you are the area that you are examining. examining.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

liver, liver, gallbladdergallbladder, , duodenum, duodenum, right kidney right kidney and hepatic and hepatic flexure of colonflexure of colon

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Cecum, Cecum, appendix (in appendix (in case of female, case of female, right ovary & right ovary & tube)tube)

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Sigmoid Sigmoid colon (in case colon (in case of female, left of female, left ovary & tube)ovary & tube)

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

Stomach, Stomach, spleen, left spleen, left kidney, pancreas kidney, pancreas (tail), splenic (tail), splenic flexure of colonflexure of colon

Epigastric AreaEpigastric Area

Stomach, Stomach, pancreas pancreas (head and (head and body), aortabody), aorta

Landmarks of the abdominal wall,

Costal margin, umbilicus, iliac crest, anterior superior iliac spine, symphysis pubis, pubic tubercle, inguinal ligament, rectus abdominis muscle, xiphoid process.

Physical Examination of the Physical Examination of the AbdomenAbdomen

InspectionInspection Auscultation Auscultation Percussion Percussion Palpation Palpation Special Tests Special Tests

InspectionInspection

Abdominal examinationAbdominal examination

Appearance of the abdomenAppearance of the abdomen

Is Aortic Is Aortic pulsationpulsation? ?

Is it flat or Is it flat or Scaphoid Scaphoid ((Normally)?Normally)?

DistendedDistended? ?

If enlarged, does this If enlarged, does this appear appear symmetricsymmetric??

With With bulging or bulging or movingmoving??

Symmetrical in shapeSymmetrical in shape

Scaphoid or flat in young patients of normal weight

slightly full but not distended in older age group due to poor muscle tone or in subjects who are mildly overweight

Appreciation of abdominal contoursAppreciation of abdominal contours

Standing at the footStanding at the foot of of the table and looking up the table and looking up towards the patient's towards the patient's head. head. Lower yourself until the Lower yourself until the anterior abdominal anterior abdominal wallwall and ask the patient and ask the patient to breathe normally while to breathe normally while you are doing so. you are doing so.


Global Global abdominal abdominal enlargement is enlargement is usually caused usually caused by by airair, , fluidfluid, or , or fatfat..


Localized Localized enlargement enlargement probably distend probably distend GB space GB space occupyingoccupying lesion, lesion, hepatomegaly….hepatomegaly….

An aortic aneurysmAn aortic aneurysm

Palpable massPalpable mass

Patient feeling of Patient feeling of pulsationpulsation

On rare occasions, a On rare occasions, a lump can be visible. lump can be visible.

An aortic aneurysmAn aortic aneurysm

1 in 10 men1 in 10 men over 65 over 65 may have some may have some enlargement of the enlargement of the abdominal aorta. abdominal aorta. About About 1 in 1001 in 100 will will have a have a large large aneurysmaneurysm requiring requiring surgery. surgery.

Appearance of the abdomenAppearance of the abdomen((Skin)Skin)

Abnormal Abnormal venousvenous patternspatterns

Abnormal Abnormal discolorationdiscoloration

Umbilicus isUmbilicus is sunkensunken

StriaeStriae

Stretch marks are a Stretch marks are a light silver hue.light silver hue.

Pregnancy and obese Pregnancy and obese individualsindividuals

Cushing’s syndrome Cushing’s syndrome (more purple or pink).(more purple or pink).

Appearance of the abdomenAppearance of the abdomen ( (Skin)Skin)

TattoosTattoosScars can be drawn on schematic diagrams of the abdomen (a picture is worth a thousand words).

Cullen’s signCullen’s sign

Ecchymosis Ecchymosis periumbilicallyperiumbilically. . (intraperitoneal (intraperitoneal hemorrhage hemorrhage ruptured ectopic ruptured ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy, hemorrhagic hemorrhagic pancreatitis..)pancreatitis..)

Grey-Turner’s signGrey-Turner’s sign

Ecchymosis of Ecchymosis of flanks. flanks. ((retroperitoneal retroperitoneal hemorrhage hemorrhage such as such as hemorrhagic hemorrhagic pancreatitis) pancreatitis)

Upward flow direction indicates IVC obstruction

Outward flow pattern from umbilicus in all directions ? Portal HTN

Evaluate venous return states

Place index finger side by side over a vein and press laterally, milking vein.

Release one finger and time refill, repeat with other finger. Venous return is in direction of faster filling.


Areas which Areas which become more become more pronounced when pronounced when the patient the patient valsalvasvalsalvas are are often associated often associated with with ventral ventral herniashernias

Visible PulsationsVisible Pulsations

More conspicuous in the More conspicuous in the thin than in the fatthin than in the fat

Greater in the old than in Greater in the old than in the young.the young.

Increased in Increased in thyrotoxicosis, thyrotoxicosis, hypertension, or aortic hypertension, or aortic regurgitation)regurgitation)

In those with an aortic In those with an aortic aneurysm and tortuous aneurysm and tortuous aortaaorta

In those who have a In those who have a mass joining the aorta to mass joining the aorta to the anterior abdominal the anterior abdominal wall. wall.

Visible gastric PeristalsisVisible gastric Peristalsis

Gastric peristalsis is Gastric peristalsis is commonly seen in commonly seen in neonates with neonates with congenital congenital hypertrophic pyloric hypertrophic pyloric stenosisstenosis

Intestinal peristalsis in Intestinal peristalsis in partial and chronic partial and chronic intestinal obstructionintestinal obstruction

Colonic obstruction is Colonic obstruction is usually not manifest usually not manifest as visible peristalsis as visible peristalsis

Visible intestinal Visible intestinal PeristalsisPeristalsis

Appearance of the abdomenAppearance of the abdomen Patient's movement Patient's movement

Patients with Patients with kidney kidney stonesstones will frequently will frequently writhe on the writhe on the examination table, examination table,

unableunable to find a to find a

comfortablecomfortable positionposition

Appearance of the abdomenAppearance of the abdomen Patient's movement Patient's movement

Patients with Patients with peritonitisperitonitis prefer to lie prefer to lie

very stillvery still as any as any motion causes further motion causes further peritoneal irritation peritoneal irritation and pain. and pain.

AuscultationAuscultation



BowelBowel sounds sounds

Vascular Vascular sounds (bruits)sounds (bruits)

Friction Friction Rubs Rubs

Auscultation for bowel soundsAuscultation for bowel sounds

It is performed It is performed before before percussion or percussion or palpationpalpation


Normal sounds are Normal sounds are

due to due to peristaltic peristaltic activityactivity..Peristalsis: A Peristalsis: A pregressice pregressice wavelike wavelike movementmovement that occurs that occurs involuntarily in hollow involuntarily in hollow tubes of the body. tubes of the body.


Compared to the Compared to the cardiac and cardiac and pulmonary examspulmonary exams, , auscultation of the auscultation of the abdomen has a abdomen has a relatively minor role. relatively minor role.


Bowel sounds lend Bowel sounds lend supporting supporting information to other information to other findings but are not findings but are not

pathognomonicpathognomonic for any particular for any particular process. process.


1.1.Diaphragm Diaphragm of of stethoscope stethoscope usedused

2.Skin 2.Skin depressed to depressed to approximately approximately 1 1 cm cm


3.Listening in 3.Listening in one one spotspot is usually is usually sufficientsufficient

4.Listening for 4.Listening for 15-20 15-20 or 30-60or 30-60 seconds seconds5.Bowel sounds 5.Bowel sounds cannot cannot be said to be absentbe said to be absent unless they are not heard unless they are not heard after listening for after listening for 3-5 3-5 minutesminutes. .

Three things about bowel Three things about bowel soundsound

Are bowel sounds Are bowel sounds present?present?

If present, are they If present, are they frequent or sparse frequent or sparse (i.e.quantity)? (i.e.quantity)?

What is the nature of What is the nature of the sounds the sounds (i.e.quality)? (i.e.quality)?

Bowel sound decreaseBowel sound decrease

Inflammatory Inflammatory processesprocesses of the of the serosaserosa

After abdominal After abdominal surgery surgery

In response to narcotic In response to narcotic analgesics or analgesics or anesthesia. anesthesia.


Inflammation of the Inflammation of the intestinal mucosaintestinal mucosa will cause will cause hyperactivehyperactive bowel bowel sounds. sounds.


Processes which Processes which lead to lead to intestinal intestinal obstructionobstruction initially initially cause frequent cause frequent bowel sounds, bowel sounds, referred to as referred to as "rushes.""rushes."

Auscultation for bowel Auscultation for bowel soundssounds

Processes which lead Processes which lead to intestinal to intestinal obstruction initially obstruction initially cause frequent bowel cause frequent bowel sounds, referred to as sounds, referred to as "rushes.""rushes."


““Rushes" means Rushes" means as the intestines as the intestines trying to trying to force force their contentstheir contents through a through a tight tight opening.opening.


““Rushes" is followed Rushes" is followed by by decreased sounddecreased sound, , called "called "tinklestinkles," and ," and then silence. then silence.


After After silence silence the the appearance of bowel appearance of bowel sounds marks the sounds marks the return of intestinal return of intestinal soundssounds activity, an activity, an important phase of important phase of the patient's the patient's recoveryrecovery. .

Splash SignSplash Sign

Splashing sound Splashing sound indicative of indicative of air or air or fluid in body cavity fluid in body cavity with shaking with shaking individualindividual: normal in s : normal in s stomach. stomach.


Bowel sounds, Bowel sounds, then, must be then, must be interpreted interpreted within within the context of the the context of the particular clinical particular clinical situationsituation. .

BruitsBruits

Bruits Bruits confined confined to systoleto systole do not do not necessarily necessarily indicate diseaseindicate disease. .

Auscultation for vascular sounds Auscultation for vascular sounds (bruits)(bruits)

AorticAortic (midline between (midline between umbilicus and xiphoidumbilicus and xiphoid

RenalRenal ( (two inches two inches superiorsuperior to and to and two two inches lateral toinches lateral to umbilicus)umbilicus)

Common iliac (Common iliac (midway midway between umbilicus between umbilicus and midpoint of and midpoint of inguinal ligamentinguinal ligament))

Auscultation for vascular sounds Auscultation for vascular sounds (bruits)(bruits)

Presence of a Presence of a bruit bruit on the renal arteryon the renal artery would lend would lend supporting supporting evidence for the evidence for the existence of existence of renal renal artery stenosisartery stenosis. .

Auscultation for vascular soundsAuscultation for vascular sounds(bruits)(bruits)

When listening for When listening for bruits, you will need bruits, you will need to to press down quite press down quite firmlyfirmly as the as the renal renal arteriesarteries are are retroperitonealretroperitoneal structures. structures.

Venous Hum (rare)Venous Hum (rare)

Epigastric/umbilical Epigastric/umbilical areaarea. .

Soft hummingSoft humming noises noises in in systolic/diastolicsystolic/diastolic component. component.

Indicates Indicates collateral collateral between portal and between portal and venous systemsvenous systems as in as in hepatic cirrhosis. hepatic cirrhosis.

Rubs –Rubs-RubsRubs –Rubs-Rubs

Liver Liver

SpleenSpleen

CardiacCardiac

Pulmonary Pulmonary

Friction rubs (rare)Friction rubs (rare)

Right and leftRight and left upper upper quandrants quandrants Grating sound with Grating sound with respiratory movementrespiratory movement Indicates Indicates inflammation of the inflammation of the capsule of the liver or capsule of the liver or spleen (spleen (infection or infection or infarctioninfarction). ).

PercussionPercussion


PercussionPercussion

Technique Technique

Liver Liver

SpleenSpleen

Percussion (technique)Percussion (technique)

DIP joint of third DIP joint of third fingerfinger (pleximeter) (pleximeter) pressed firmly on the pressed firmly on the abdomen abdomen remainder remainder of hand not touching of hand not touching the abdomenthe abdomen


Striking hand Striking hand should move should move only at the only at the wristwrist, , with only little with only little more than more than force force of gravityof gravity


Middle fingerMiddle finger of of striking hand striking hand (plexor) should (plexor) should knock the knock the pleximeter firmly, pleximeter firmly, with a with a strong strong notenote

There are two basic sounds with There are two basic sounds with PercussionPercussion

TympaniticTympanitic (drum-like) (drum-like) sounds sounds produced by produced by percussing over percussing over air filled air filled structuresstructures. .

There are two basic sounds with There are two basic sounds with PercussionPercussion

Dull soundsDull sounds that that occur when a occur when a solid solid structurestructure (e.g. liver) (e.g. liver) or or fluid fluid (e.g. ascites) (e.g. ascites) lies beneath the lies beneath the region being region being examined. examined.

Examination of Liver (Percussion)Examination of Liver (Percussion)

MidclavicularMidclavicular line line is notedis noted

Second Second intercostalintercostal space space is notedis noted

The two solid organs are percussable in the normal patientLiver: will be entirely covered by the ribs. Occasionally, an edge may protrude 1-2 centimeter below the costal margin.

Spleen: The spleen is smaller and is entirely protected by the ribs.

To determine the size of the liverTo determine the size of the liver

Measure the liver Measure the liver span by percussing span by percussing hepatic dullness from hepatic dullness from above (lung) and above (lung) and below (bowel).below (bowel). A A normal liver span is normal liver span is 6 6 to 12 cmto 12 cm in the in the midclavicular line.midclavicular line.


Start just below the Start just below the right breastright breast in a line in a line with the middle of with the middle of the clavicle. the clavicle. Percussion in this Percussion in this area should area should produce a relatively produce a relatively resonant note. resonant note.


Move your hand Move your hand down a few down a few centimeters than centimeters than you will be over you will be over the liver, which the liver, which will produce a will produce a duller sounding duller sounding tone. tone.


Continue Continue downwarddownward until until the sound the sound changes once changes once again. At this again. At this point, you will point, you will have reached the have reached the inferior margin of inferior margin of the liver.the liver.

Examination of Liver (Percussion)Examination of Liver (Percussion)

Upper margin is Upper margin is noted by noted by first dull first dull percussionpercussion note note

Lower margin is Lower margin is noted by noted by first first tympanitictympanitic note note

To determine the size of the liver

The resonant tone produced by percussion over the anterior chest wall will be somewhat less drum like then that generated over the intestines. While they are both caused by tapping over air filled structures, the ribs and pectoralis muscle tend to dampen the sound.

Examination of SpleenExamination of Spleen(Percussion)(Percussion)

Percussion at Castell’s SpotPercussion at Castell’s Spot

Castell’s Spot identifiedCastell’s Spot identified

Left anterior axillary line identifiedLeft anterior axillary line identified

Left lower costal margin identifiedLeft lower costal margin identified

Percussion at Castell’s Spot while patient Percussion at Castell’s Spot while patient inhales and exhales deeplyinhales and exhales deeply

Dull tone indicates Dull tone indicates possible possible splenomegalysplenomegaly

Spleen percussionSpleen percussion

Enlarged spleen Enlarged spleen produce a produce a dull dull tonetone, in the , in the left left upper quadrant upper quadrant percussionpercussion but but should then be should then be verified by verified by palpation.palpation.

Palpation Palpation


Abdominal Palpation Abdominal Palpation

Technique Technique

Light Light

Deep Deep

Liver edge Liver edge

Spleen tip Spleen tip

Kidneys Kidneys

Aorta Aorta

MassesMasses

Abdominal palpationAbdominal palpation

To palpate four To palpate four quadrantsquadrants superficially superficially from LLQ from LLQ counterclockwisecounterclockwise

Light PalpationLight Palpation


First First warm your warm your handshands by rubbing by rubbing them together before them together before placing them on the placing them on the patient.patient.

Abdominal wall Abdominal wall depressed depressed approximately 1 cmapproximately 1 cm

Abdominal palpationAbdominal palpation

Use pads of three fingers of one hand and a light, gentle, dipping maneuver to examine abdomen

Palpation (light)

Any areas of pain or tenderness are reserved for evaluation at the end of the exam


Mostly looking for Mostly looking for areas of areas of tendernesstenderness

Tenderness is a Tenderness is a physical examphysical exam finding finding a reflex occurs a reflex occurs (muscle splinting, (muscle splinting, wide eyes, moaning, wide eyes, moaning, teeth grittingteeth gritting). ).

Palpation Light palpation assesses

Muscle tone Cutaneous hypersensitivity (suggests peritoneal irritation)

Palpation Light palpation assesses

Presence of superficial (intramural) masses is more prominent if patient raises their head ,Intra-abdominal mass is less prominent if patient raises their head

Deep PalpationDeep Palpation

Palpation (deep)

Entire palm

Either one- or two handed technique is acceptable

Deep PalpationDeep PalpationUse palmar surface of fingers of one hand (greatest number of greatest number of fingers)fingers) and a deep, firm, gentle maneuver to examine abdomen

PalpationPalpation

Palpate deeply with Palpate deeply with finger finger padspads (do not (do not “dig in” with finger “dig in” with finger tipstips))

Deep PalpationDeep PalpationPalpate tender areas Palpate tender areas lastlast

Try to identify Try to identify abdominal abdominal massesmasses or or areas of areas of deep deep tendernesstenderness

Two handed technique

When deep When deep palpation is palpation is difficult, examiner difficult, examiner may want to use may want to use left hand placed left hand placed over right handover right hand to to help exert pressurehelp exert pressure

Palpation (deep)

Push as deeply as patient will allow without significant discomfort

Normal structure that may be Normal structure that may be palpablepalpable

Sigmoid colon Sigmoid colon

LiverLiver

KidneyKidney

Abdominal aortaAbdominal aorta

Iliac arteryIliac artery

Distended bladderDistended bladder

Gravid and non-Gravid and non-gravid uterus gravid uterus

Xyphoid processXyphoid process

spleen spleen

Abdominal massAbdominal mass

Intra abdominal Intra abdominal masses or masses or enlargements of the enlargements of the liver, gallbladder or liver, gallbladder or spleenspleen

Abdominal wall massAbdominal wall mass

Intra abdominal masses or enlargements of Intra abdominal masses or enlargements of the liver, gallbladder or spleenthe liver, gallbladder or spleen

They will They will shift downshift down with inspiration and with inspiration and backback with with expiration.expiration. (not true of masses (not true of masses within the within the abdominal abdominal wallwall or or retroperitoneal retroperitoneal structuresstructures).).

Aabdominal wall massAabdominal wall mass

It will become more It will become more evident and palpable evident and palpable when patient when patient flexes flexes neckneck as this as this contracts contracts rectus musclesrectus muscles. .

Paraumbilical node

Abdominal pain and Abdominal pain and TendernessTenderness

Type of abdominal painType of abdominal pain

Visceral painVisceral pain Somatic painSomatic pain

Visceral painVisceral pain

This is pain that arises This is pain that arises from an from an organic lesion organic lesion or functional or functional disturbance within an disturbance within an abdominalabdominal viscus viscus ((dulldull, , poorly poorly localizedlocalized, and , and difficultdifficult for the for the patient to patient to characterizecharacterize))..

Somatic painSomatic pain

Painful lesion of the Painful lesion of the skinskinSharp, bright, and Sharp, bright, and well localizedwell localized Indicates Indicates involvement of involvement of parietal peritoneumparietal peritoneum or the or the abdominal abdominal wall itselfwall itself

TendernessTenderness

If there is tenderness If there is tenderness determine the point of determine the point of maximum tendernessmaximum tenderness and its and its distributiondistribution

Abdominal muscle spasmAbdominal muscle spasm

Voluntary guardingVoluntary guarding Tensing abdominal Tensing abdominal muscles due to muscles due to patient anxiety, patient anxiety, ticklishness, or ticklishness, or toprevent palpation to toprevent palpation to a painful area a painful area

Involuntary guardingInvoluntary guarding Muscular spasm or Muscular spasm or rigidity due to rigidity due to peritoneal peritoneal inflammationinflammationMay be localized May be localized (early appendicitis )or (early appendicitis )or diffuse (perforated diffuse (perforated bowel) bowel)

Board-like rigidityBoard-like rigidityIf abdominal wall is If abdominal wall is palpated as obviously palpated as obviously tense, even as tense, even as rigid rigid as a board,as a board, board-like board-like rigidity is so called. Is rigidity is so called. Is caused by the spasm caused by the spasm of abdominal muscle of abdominal muscle due to peritoneal due to peritoneal irritation.irritation.

Differential diagnosis of abdominal Differential diagnosis of abdominal painpain

Spine Spine pain pain

Abdominal wall Abdominal wall pain( differentiated by pain( differentiated by having the patient having the patient tense his abdominal tense his abdominal muscles, by forcefully muscles, by forcefully elevating his head elevating his head while keeping his while keeping his shoulders flat on the shoulders flat on the table)table)

Liver palpationLiver palpation

Liver palpation Liver palpation ((Standard Method)Standard Method)

Start in the Start in the RUQ,10 RUQ,10 centimeterscentimeters below the below the rib marginrib margin in the mid- in the mid-clavicular line clavicular line

Place Place left hand left hand posteriorlyposteriorly parallel to parallel to and supporting 11th & and supporting 11th & 12th ribs on right. 12th ribs on right.

Standard Method Liver palpationStandard Method Liver palpation

Ask the patient to Ask the patient to take a take a deep breath.deep breath.

You may feel the You may feel the edge of the liver press edge of the liver press against your fingers. against your fingers.


Palpating hand is Palpating hand is held steadyheld steady while while

patient inhalespatient inhales


Palpating hand is Palpating hand is lifted and movedlifted and moved while the patient while the patient

breathes outbreathes out

Liver palpationLiver palpation

Another method of Another method of palpating the liver palpating the liver uses the radial border uses the radial border of the index finger. In of the index finger. In this method the this method the anterior hand is anterior hand is placed flat on the placed flat on the anterior abdominal anterior abdominal wall with fingers wall with fingers parallel to the costal parallel to the costal margin margin

Alternate Method Liver palpationAlternate Method Liver palpation

Is useful when the Is useful when the patient is patient is obese obese or or when the when the examiner examiner is smallis small compared compared

to the patient.to the patient.

Alternate Method Liver palpationAlternate Method Liver palpation

Stand by the patient's Stand by the patient's chest.chest.

"Hook""Hook" your fingers your fingers just below the costal just below the costal margin and press margin and press firmly. firmly.

HepatomegalyHepatomegaly

More than More than 1cm below1cm below the costal marginthe costal margin

An exception is a An exception is a congenitally large congenitally large right loberight lobe of the liver of the liver

Severe, chronic Severe, chronic emphysemaemphysema

Pulsation transmitted from aorta Pulsation transmitted from aorta Tricuspid valve insufficiencyTricuspid valve insufficiency

Hepatojugular reflux Hepatojugular reflux signsign

If you press the liver, If you press the liver, you will find the you will find the dilated jugular vein dilated jugular vein becomes more becomes more bulged or distended, bulged or distended, as from the as from the enlargement of liver enlargement of liver passive congestionpassive congestion resulted from resulted from right right failurefailure..

Ballotable sign

Spleen palpationSpleen palpation

Spleen palpation Spleen palpation

SeldomSeldom palpable in palpable in normal adults. normal adults. Causes include Causes include COPDCOPD, and deep , and deep inspiratory descent of inspiratory descent of the diaphragm. the diaphragm.


Support Support lower left rib lower left rib cagecage with left hand with left hand while patient is supine while patient is supine and and lift anteriorly on lift anteriorly on the rib cagethe rib cage. .


Palpate Palpate upwards upwards toward spleentoward spleen with with finger tips of right finger tips of right hand, starting below hand, starting below left costal margin. left costal margin.

Have the Have the patient take patient take a deep breatha deep breath. .

Examination of Spleen (Palpation)

Deep technique used

Starting point is RLQ, proceeding to LUQ

Kidney palpationKidney palpation

Kidney palpationKidney palpation

Place Place left hand left hand posteriorlyposteriorly just below just below the right 12th rib. Lift the right 12th rib. Lift upwards. upwards.

Palpate deeply with Palpate deeply with right hand on anterior right hand on anterior abdominal wall.abdominal wall.

Examination of Kidney

Patient take a Patient take a deep deep breath. breath.

Feel lower pole of Feel lower pole of kidneykidney and try to and try to capture it between capture it between your hands.your hands.

Examination of Kidney

Right kidney may be felt to slip between hands during exhalation

Palpation of the AortaPalpation of the Aorta

Examination of Aorta

Flat palm placed over the the epigastrium to locate pulse


Press down Press down deeply in deeply in the midlinethe midline above the above the umbilicus. umbilicus.

The aortic pulsation is The aortic pulsation is easily felt on easily felt on most most individuals. individuals.


Hands then oriented vertically on either side of midline with distal fingers at level of pulsation; equal pressure applied until pulsation is palpated

A well defined, pulsatile mass, A well defined, pulsatile mass, greater than 3 greater than 3 cmcm across, suggests an aortic aneurysm. across, suggests an aortic aneurysm.


Lateral width of pulsation is determined by space between index fingers

Special examSpecial exam


Special examSpecial examMurphy’s Sign Murphy’s Sign McBurney’s McBurney’s PointPointRovsing’s SignRovsing’s SignPsoas SignPsoas SignObturator Obturator SignSign

Re bound Re bound TendernessTenderness

Costovertebral Costovertebral tendernesstenderness

Shifting Shifting DullnessDullness

Fluid waveFluid wave

Murphy’s Sign (acute cholecystitis)Murphy’s Sign (acute cholecystitis)

Examiner’s hand is at Examiner’s hand is at middle inferior border middle inferior border of liver.of liver.Patient is asked to Patient is asked to take take deep inspirationdeep inspiration..If positive patient will If positive patient will experience painexperience pain and and will will stop shortstop short of full of full inspirationinspiration

Hepatitis, Hepatitis, subdiaphragmaticsubdiaphragmatic abscess Cholecystitisabscess Cholecystitis

McBurney’s PointMcBurney’s Point

Localized tenderness Localized tenderness Just below Just below midpoint midpoint of line between of line between right right anterior iliac crestanterior iliac crest and and umbilicusumbilicus..

Heel strikeHeel strike, , riding riding over bumpsover bumps in road in road while while drivingdriving,, coughingcoughing, will , will produce pain.produce pain.

McBurney’s Point (McBurney’s Point (Common CausesCommon Causes))

Appendicitis Incarcerated or Incarcerated or strangulated hernia strangulated hernia Ovarian torsion (twisted Ovarian torsion (twisted Fallopian tube) Fallopian tube) Pelvic inflammatory disease Abdominal abscess Hepatitis Diverticular disease Diverticular disease Meckel''s diverticulumMeckel''s diverticulum

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Rovsing’s SignRovsing’s Sign

Patient will Patient will experience right lower experience right lower quadrant pain (in quadrant pain (in region of McBurney’s region of McBurney’s Point) when left lower Point) when left lower quadrant is palpated. quadrant is palpated.

Non-Classical AppendicitisNon-Classical Appendicitis

Iliopsoas SignIliopsoas Sign

Obturator SignObturator Sign


Patient can lay on side and extend leg at the hip Patient can lay on side and extend leg at the hip or have patient lay on back and try to flex hip or have patient lay on back and try to flex hip against the resistance of examiner’s hand on against the resistance of examiner’s hand on thigh. If patient has an inflamed retrocecal thigh. If patient has an inflamed retrocecal appendix, this will produce pain. appendix, this will produce pain.


Anatomic basis for Anatomic basis for the psoas sign: the psoas sign: inflamed appendix is inflamed appendix is in a retroperitoneal in a retroperitoneal location in contact location in contact with the psoas with the psoas muscle, which is muscle, which is stretched by this stretched by this maneuver. maneuver.


Internally rotate right leg at the hip with the knee Internally rotate right leg at the hip with the knee at 90 degrees of flexion. Will produce pain if at 90 degrees of flexion. Will produce pain if inflamed appendix is in pelvis. inflamed appendix is in pelvis.


Anatomic basis for Anatomic basis for the obturator sign: the obturator sign: inflamed appendix in inflamed appendix in the pelvis is in contact the pelvis is in contact with the obturator with the obturator internus muscle, internus muscle, which is stretched by which is stretched by this maneuver. this maneuver.

Rebound TendernessRebound Tenderness ((FFor peritoneal irritation)or peritoneal irritation)

WarnWarn the patient what the patient what you are you are about to doabout to do. .

Press deeplyPress deeply on the on the abdomen with your hand. abdomen with your hand.

After a moment, After a moment, quickly quickly release pressurerelease pressure. .

If it If it hurts more when you hurts more when you release,release, the patient has the patient has rebound tenderness. [rebound tenderness. [4] ]

Cost vertebral TendernessCost vertebral Tenderness (Often with renal disease)(Often with renal disease)

Use the Use the heel of your heel of your closed fistclosed fist to strike to strike the patient firmly the patient firmly over the over the costovertebral costovertebral angles. angles.

CompareCompare the the left left and right sides. and right sides.

Warn the patient Patient sit up on the exam tableWarn the patient Patient sit up on the exam table

Shifting DullnessShifting Dullness ((FFor peritoneal fluid)or peritoneal fluid)

Percuss Percuss from anterior abdomen laterally to to outline areas of outline areas of dullness dullness noted

Examination for Shifting Dullness

Patient rolled slightly toward the examined side; movement of the dull point medially is described as “shifting dullness” and suggests ascites

Shifting DullnessShifting Dullness

Fluid waveFluid wave

Documents

Abdominal examination.ppt