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Gastro Exam
 
 
Gastro Exam
The gastrointestinal exam is used to assess patients for pathology affecting the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system or other abdominal organs.
The Patient
The Hands
The Arms
The Face
The Neck
The Chest
The Abdomen – Inspection
The Abdomen – Auscultation
The Abdomen - Palpation
The Groin
Digital Rectal Examination
 

Examining the Flanks

 
 

Overview

  • During the gastrointestinal examination the flanks are often ignored in favour of the abdomen, however there is valuable information to be gained from inspecting and palpating the flanks routinely.

Grey-Turner’s Sign

    • Look For

      • Bruising of the flanks.

    • Significance

      • A sign of retroperitoneal haemorrhage, along with Cullen's sign (bruising around the umbilicus).

    • Causes of Grey-Turner’s Sign

    • Pancreas - acute pancreatitis, trauma
    • Gynae - ruptured ectopic pregnancy, ovarian enlargement
    • GI - perforated duodenal ulcer
    • Liver - hepatocellular carcinoma, lymphoma, amoebic abscess
    • Spleen - splenic rupture
    • Vascular - ruptured AAA / internal iliac aneurysm
    • Iatrogenic

Flank Tenderness

    • Feel For 

      • Tenderness over the lower back, lateral to the spine on either side.

    • Causes of Flank Tenderness

    • Infection - pyelonephritis, perinephric abscess
    • Malignancy - renal cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma
    • Renal infarction
    • Trauma
Last updated on November 26th, 2019
 
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Associated Diseases
BETA

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Duodenal Ulcer
Amoebic Liver Abscess
Acute Pancreatitis
Ectopic Pregnancy
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Splenic Rupture
 

Read More...
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