Signs

Question 1

Trousseau sign

Answer 1

Venous thrombosis and hypercoagulability of malignancy

Some malignancies, especially gliomas (25%), as well as adenocarcinomas of the pancreas and lung, are associated with hypercoagulability (the tendency to form blood clots) for reasons that are incompletely understood, but may be related to factors secreted by the tumors, in particular a circulating pool of cell-derived tissue factor-containing microvesicles. Some adenocarcinomas secrete mucin that can interact with selectin found on platelets, thereby causing small clots to form.

Question 2

Brudzinski sign

Answer 2

A physical finding consistent with meningitis; While the patient is supine, the neck is passively flexed resulting in involuntary knee and hip flexion

Question 3

Kernig sign

Answer 3

A physical finding consistent with meningitis; While the patient is supine, the legs are flexed at the hip and knee at 90 degree angle resulting in pain with leg extension

Question 4

Obturator sign

Answer 4

Irritation of the obturator muscle caused by passive internal rotation of the right thigh in patients with appendicitis.

Question 5

Psoas sign

Answer 5

Irritation of the psoas muscle caused by active right thigh flexion or passive right hip extension in patients with appendicitis.

Question 6

Rovsing’s sign

Answer 6

Palpation of the left lower quadrant causes pain at the right lower quadrant in patients with appendicitis.

Question 7

Cullen sign

Answer 7

Perimubilical bluish coloration indicating hemoperitoneum

Question 8

Grey-Turner sign

Answer 8

Reddish-Brown coloration around flanks indicating retroperitoneal bleed

Question 9

Murphy’s sign

Answer 9

Pain with palpation of the gallbladder fossa beneath the liver edge during inspiration. This is seen with acute cholecystitis.

Question 10

Homan sign

Answer 10

Pain with passive dorsiflexion of the ankle. This is seen with deep venous thrombosis.