Ewart's sign
Ewart's Sign
Ewart's sign (/ˈjuːərtz/; from the name of its discoverer, William Ewart) is a clinical sign used in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion. It is characterized by dullness and decreased breath sounds at the base of the left lung, typically in the area of the scapula, due to compression by a large pericardial effusion.
Etymology
Ewart's sign is named after William Ewart, a British physician who first described the sign in 1896. Ewart was a prominent figure in the field of cardiology, and his work contributed significantly to the understanding of heart diseases.
Clinical Significance
Ewart's sign is a physical examination finding that is used to suggest the presence of a pericardial effusion. The sign is elicited by percussing the patient's back in the area of the left scapula. If the effusion is large enough, it can compress the lung, leading to dullness on percussion and decreased breath sounds.
Related Terms
- Pericardial effusion: An abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity.
- Percussion (medicine): A diagnostic procedure used to determine the underlying structure of a particular area of the body by tapping on the surface.
- Scapula: Also known as the shoulder blade, it is the bone that connects the humerus (upper arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ewart's sign
- Wikipedia's article - Ewart's sign
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