Gastro Exam
 
 

Examining the Flanks

 
 
 
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On this page:Grey-Turner’s SignFlank Tenderness
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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
 
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