Tourniquet test: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:45, 9 February 2025

Tourniquet Test

The tourniquet test is a clinical diagnostic tool used to assess capillary fragility and the tendency to bleed. It is often employed in the evaluation of patients suspected of having dengue fever or other conditions that affect the vascular system.

Procedure

The tourniquet test involves the application of a blood pressure cuff to the upper arm, inflated to a point between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and maintained for a specified period, usually five minutes. After the cuff is released, the forearm is examined for the appearance of petechiae, which are small red or purple spots caused by bleeding into the skin.

Interpretation

A positive tourniquet test is indicated by the presence of more than 20 petechiae per square inch on the forearm. This result suggests increased capillary fragility and may be indicative of conditions such as dengue fever, thrombocytopenia, or other bleeding disorders.

Clinical Significance

The tourniquet test is particularly useful in the diagnosis of dengue fever, where it is one of the criteria used by the World Health Organization (WHO) for clinical diagnosis. A positive test can help differentiate dengue from other febrile illnesses, especially in endemic areas.

Limitations

While the tourniquet test is a useful diagnostic tool, it is not specific to any one disease and should be used in conjunction with other clinical findings and laboratory tests. False positives can occur, and the test may not be reliable in patients with pre-existing skin conditions or those on medications that affect bleeding.

Related Pages

References

World Health Organization. "Dengue: Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control." WHO, 2009.
Gubler, D. J. "Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever." Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 1998.

Images

A positive tourniquet test showing petechiae on the forearm.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Tourniquet test''' is a medical diagnostic test used primarily to identify the presence of [[dengue fever]]. The test is named after the device used in the procedure, a [[tourniquet]], which is a constricting or compressing device used to control venous and arterial circulation to an extremity for a period of time.
+== Tourniquet Test ==
-==Procedure==
+The '''tourniquet test''' is a clinical diagnostic tool used to assess capillary fragility and the tendency to bleed. It is often employed in the evaluation of patients suspected of having [[dengue fever]] or other conditions that affect the [[vascular system]].
-The tourniquet test is performed by inflating a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm to a point mid-way between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures for five minutes. The test is positive if more than 20 petechiae per square inch or 3 cm² are observed on the skin below the cuff. The test is used in the diagnosis of diseases such as dengue fever and [[rickettsial infections]].
-==Interpretation==
+== Procedure ==
-A positive tourniquet test is one of the major warning signs of severe dengue fever. However, a negative test does not rule out dengue fever. The test is less sensitive in cases of secondary dengue infection. The test can also be positive in other medical conditions such as [[vitamin C deficiency]] and [[idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]].
-==Limitations==
+The tourniquet test involves the application of a blood pressure cuff to the upper arm, inflated to a point between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and maintained for a specified period, usually five minutes. After the cuff is released, the forearm is examined for the appearance of [[petechiae]], which are small red or purple spots caused by bleeding into the skin.
-The tourniquet test has several limitations. It is less sensitive in secondary dengue infections. The test can also be positive in other medical conditions such as vitamin C deficiency and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The test is also subjective and depends on the skill of the person performing the test.
+== Interpretation ==
+A positive tourniquet test is indicated by the presence of more than 20 petechiae per square inch on the forearm. This result suggests increased capillary fragility and may be indicative of conditions such as [[dengue fever]], [[thrombocytopenia]], or other bleeding disorders.
+== Clinical Significance ==
+The tourniquet test is particularly useful in the diagnosis of dengue fever, where it is one of the criteria used by the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) for clinical diagnosis. A positive test can help differentiate dengue from other febrile illnesses, especially in endemic areas.
+== Limitations ==
+While the tourniquet test is a useful diagnostic tool, it is not specific to any one disease and should be used in conjunction with other clinical findings and laboratory tests. False positives can occur, and the test may not be reliable in patients with pre-existing skin conditions or those on medications that affect bleeding.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See also==
 * [[Dengue fever]]
-* [[Rickettsial infections]]
+* [[Petechiae]]
-* [[Vitamin C deficiency]]
+* [[Thrombocytopenia]]
-* [[Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]]
+== References ==
+* World Health Organization. "Dengue: Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control." WHO, 2009.
+* Gubler, D. J. "Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever." Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 1998.
+== Images ==
+[[File:Positive-tourniquet-test.gif|thumb|right|A positive tourniquet test showing petechiae on the forearm.]]
 [[Category:Medical tests]]
-[[Category:Dengue fever]]
+[[Category:Hematology]]
-[[Category:Rickettsial infections]]
-[[Category:Vitamin C deficiency]]
-[[Category:Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]]
-{{stub}}