Ascites: Defined as free fluid in the abdominal cavity. The fluid wave is a very specific test (82-92%) for detecting ascites. It is performed by having the patient (or assistant) place the medial side of their hands onto the abdominal midline. The examiner then taps the left or right flank sharply while using the opposite fingertips to try to detect the impulse on the contra-lateral flank.
WHY THE HANDS ON THE STOMACH? To stop the transmission of the impulse wave through subcutaneous fat.
REFERENCES
Though often used synonymously; Trapped Lung and Lung Entrapment technically describe separate entities along the…
It is not clearly understood why patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) develop pericardial effusions. However,…
The two drugs are not interchangeable nor dose equivalents. Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) is a semi…
Serum Creatinine can be a deceptive surrogate during an acute kidney injury. It may lag…
Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening complication of rheumatic diseases (i.e SLE, Juvenile idiopathic…
After creation of a percutaneous tracheotomy site for prolonged ventilation, one of the immediate complications…
This website uses cookies.