Macewen's sign

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Macewen's sign

Macewen's sign (pronounced: ma-KYOO-en's sign) is a clinical sign in medicine that is used to detect changes in the brain, specifically the presence of hydrocephalus or brain abscess. It is named after the Scottish surgeon, Sir William Macewen, who first described it.

Etymology

The term "Macewen's sign" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Sir William Macewen (1848-1924), a Scottish surgeon who made significant contributions to the field of neurosurgery.

Definition

Macewen's sign is a clinical sign characterized by a peculiar hollow sound heard when the patient's head is percussed near the junction of the frontal, temporal and parietal bones. This is indicative of separation of the brain from the skull, often due to the presence of hydrocephalus or a brain abscess.

Related Terms

  • Hydrocephalus: A condition characterized by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain, leading to increased pressure inside the skull. It can cause enlargement of the head, convulsions, and brain damage.
  • Brain Abscess: A collection of pus, immune cells, and other material in the brain, usually from a bacterial or fungal infection.
  • Percussion (medicine): A method used by physicians and other healthcare providers to tap on the body to elicit sounds and vibrations that can provide clues about the health of the underlying tissues and organs.
  • Frontal bone: One of the bones that make up the skull and provides structure to the forehead.
  • Temporal bone: A bone in the skull that is situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
  • Parietal bone: One of the two bones that form the sides and roof of the cranium.

External links

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