Kerr's sign: Difference between revisions
No edit summary Tag: Manual revert |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Kerr's sign | |||
| synonyms = | |||
| specialty = [[Gastroenterology]], [[Surgery]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Shoulder pain]] | |||
| causes = [[Ruptured spleen]], [[Hemoperitoneum]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[Medical imaging]] | |||
| differential = [[Diaphragmatic irritation]], [[Referred pain]] | |||
| treatment = [[Surgical intervention]], [[Observation]] | |||
| prognosis = Depends on underlying cause | |||
| frequency = Rare | |||
}} | |||
'''Kerr's Sign''' is a clinical sign in [[medicine]] that is associated with [[ectopic pregnancy]]. It is named after the Scottish surgeon, [[John Kerr]], who first described it in 1909. | '''Kerr's Sign''' is a clinical sign in [[medicine]] that is associated with [[ectopic pregnancy]]. It is named after the Scottish surgeon, [[John Kerr]], who first described it in 1909. | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
Kerr's Sign is the presence of referred pain in the shoulder following irritation of the diaphragm or the peritoneum. This is caused by blood or other fluids accumulating in the abdominal cavity, which irritates the nerves that lead to the shoulder. | Kerr's Sign is the presence of referred pain in the shoulder following irritation of the diaphragm or the peritoneum. This is caused by blood or other fluids accumulating in the abdominal cavity, which irritates the nerves that lead to the shoulder. | ||
==Clinical Significance== | ==Clinical Significance== | ||
Kerr's Sign is most commonly associated with ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This can lead to rupture of the tube and internal bleeding, causing irritation of the diaphragm and resulting in referred shoulder pain. | Kerr's Sign is most commonly associated with ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This can lead to rupture of the tube and internal bleeding, causing irritation of the diaphragm and resulting in referred shoulder pain. | ||
However, Kerr's Sign can also be seen in other conditions that cause irritation of the diaphragm or peritoneum, such as a ruptured spleen, liver damage, or peritonitis. | However, Kerr's Sign can also be seen in other conditions that cause irritation of the diaphragm or peritoneum, such as a ruptured spleen, liver damage, or peritonitis. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The presence of Kerr's Sign alone is not sufficient to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or other abdominal condition. It is one of many signs and symptoms that doctors consider when making a diagnosis. Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and amenorrhea. | The presence of Kerr's Sign alone is not sufficient to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or other abdominal condition. It is one of many signs and symptoms that doctors consider when making a diagnosis. Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and amenorrhea. | ||
If Kerr's Sign is present, doctors may perform further tests such as an ultrasound or a blood test to measure levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). | If Kerr's Sign is present, doctors may perform further tests such as an ultrasound or a blood test to measure levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment for conditions causing Kerr's Sign depends on the underlying cause. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, treatment options can include medication to stop the growth of the pregnancy, or surgery to remove it. | Treatment for conditions causing Kerr's Sign depends on the underlying cause. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, treatment options can include medication to stop the growth of the pregnancy, or surgery to remove it. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Ectopic pregnancy]] | * [[Ectopic pregnancy]] | ||
| Line 22: | Line 28: | ||
* [[Peritoneum]] | * [[Peritoneum]] | ||
* [[Diaphragm (anatomy)]] | * [[Diaphragm (anatomy)]] | ||
[[Category:Medical signs]] | [[Category:Medical signs]] | ||
[[Category:Gynaecology]] | [[Category:Gynaecology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:07, 4 April 2025
| Kerr's sign | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Gastroenterology, Surgery |
| Symptoms | Shoulder pain |
| Complications | N/A |
| Onset | N/A |
| Duration | N/A |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Ruptured spleen, Hemoperitoneum |
| Risks | N/A |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, Medical imaging |
| Differential diagnosis | Diaphragmatic irritation, Referred pain |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Surgical intervention, Observation |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Depends on underlying cause |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Kerr's Sign is a clinical sign in medicine that is associated with ectopic pregnancy. It is named after the Scottish surgeon, John Kerr, who first described it in 1909.
Definition[edit]
Kerr's Sign is the presence of referred pain in the shoulder following irritation of the diaphragm or the peritoneum. This is caused by blood or other fluids accumulating in the abdominal cavity, which irritates the nerves that lead to the shoulder.
Clinical Significance[edit]
Kerr's Sign is most commonly associated with ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This can lead to rupture of the tube and internal bleeding, causing irritation of the diaphragm and resulting in referred shoulder pain. However, Kerr's Sign can also be seen in other conditions that cause irritation of the diaphragm or peritoneum, such as a ruptured spleen, liver damage, or peritonitis.
Diagnosis[edit]
The presence of Kerr's Sign alone is not sufficient to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or other abdominal condition. It is one of many signs and symptoms that doctors consider when making a diagnosis. Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and amenorrhea. If Kerr's Sign is present, doctors may perform further tests such as an ultrasound or a blood test to measure levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for conditions causing Kerr's Sign depends on the underlying cause. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, treatment options can include medication to stop the growth of the pregnancy, or surgery to remove it.
