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Carnetts Sign

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This patient had a positive Carnett's Sign[1]
  • Carnetts Sign
  • Carnett’s Test
  • Carnett Maneuver
  • Abdominal Wall Pain Test
  • Abdominal Wall Tensing Test
  • Anterior Abdominal Wall Pain Differentiation Test

Purpose

  • Evaluate whether the patient abdominal pain is coming from the abdominal wall or in the abdomen proper
  • Named after Dr. J. B. Carnett, an American surgeon who first described the maneuver in 1926

Description

  • The patient is supine
  • The examiner identifies the tender spot
  • The patient is then asked to tense the abdominal muscles by lifting their head and or raising legs
  • Positive test
    • Pain stays the same or increases
    • Suggests the pain originates from the abdominal wall
  • Negative test
    • Pain decreases
    • Suggests the pain origina is intra-abdominal

Pathology

Evidence

  • Unknown

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Otero Regino, William, Erika Martínez Rodríguez, and Adán Lúquez Mindiola. "The Cost Of Ignoring Carnett s Sign: A Case Report and Literature Review." Revista colombiana de Gastroenterología 32.1 (2017): 75-81.
Created by:
John Kiel on 15 November 2025 14:47:18
Authors:
Last edited:
15 November 2025 15:17:09
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