shifting dullness


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Related to shifting dullness: Puddle sign, fluid wave, fluid thrill

shift·ing dull·ness

a sign of free peritoneal fluid wherein the dullness of percussion shifts, generally from one side to the other, as the patient is turned from side to side.

shifting dullness

A mobile area of decreased resonance found during percussion of a body part as the body changes position. The finding suggests that fluid is contained within a body cavity and that it moves with gravity.
See also: dullness
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This case was challenging because of the long duration, presence of constitutional symptoms, recent ingestion of traditional medicament, shifting dullness and dullness in the flanks on clinical examination, previous non-significant rectal biopsy, ascites revealed on ultrasound examination, and unhelpful laboratory investigations.
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction: The massive abdomen and the red herring
Physical examination revealed swollen lymph nodes in the neck, axillary fossae and inguinal grooves, palpable liver and spleen, shifting dullness and edema.
Successful Treatment with Rituximab in a Patient with Castleman's Disease Complicated by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Severe Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia
No shifting dullness. Speculum examination revealed normal cervix and vagina.
Diagnostic dilemma of an adnexal mass: giant broad ligament fibroid
Per abdomen examination revealed distended abdomen with hepatomegaly-2 cm below costal margin and liver span of 9 cm, splenomegaly 1 cm below costal margin and mild ascites with presence of shifting dullness. Initial work up showed Hb-5.5 gm%, platelet count-30,000/mm, (3) total bilirubin-3.3mg/dl, moderately elevated liver enzymes and deranged coagulation profile (INR-1.67, PT-18 sec).
Wilson's disease presenting as hemolytic anemia
Per abdominal examination revealed severe tenderness in lower abdomen with positive shifting dullness. Pelvic examination revealed severe tenderness in left fornix, uterus was soft, retroverted cervical motion tenderness was present.
Ruptured cornual pregnancy at 8 wks gestation-successful conservative approach: A case report

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