Jump to content
We need you! See something you could improve? Make an edit and help improve WikSM for everyone.

Fothergill Sign

From WikiSM

Other Names

Large well defined elliptical mass in the left rectus sheath with variable attenuation within - consistent with blood of different ages. Active contrast extravastation within, in keeping with active bleeding.[1]
  • Fothergill Sign
  • Fothergill's Sign
  • Abdominal wall mass stabilization sign
  • Rectus sheath hematoma sign

Purpose

  • To evaluate the etiology of a patients traumatic abdominal mass
    • Goal is to distinguish a wall mass from a mass arising in the abdomen
    • First described by Fothergill in 1926[2]

Description

  • The examiner palpates the abdominal mass[3]
  • If the mass does not cross midline, change position with flexion of the abdomen
    • The mass may be resonant on percussion
  • Suggests the patient has a rectus sheath hematoma

Pathology

Evidence

  • Unknown

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Case courtesy of Ian Bickle, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 33434
  2. ↑ Fothergill, W. E. "Haematoma in the abdominal wall simulating pelvic new growth." British Medical Journal 1.3413 (1926): 941.
  3. ↑ Yale, Steven H., Halil Tekiner, and Eileen S. Yale. "Fothergill and Carnett signs and rectus sheath hematoma." Journal of Rural Medicine 15.3 (2020): 130-131.
Created by:
John Kiel on 8 July 2019 23:56:07
Authors:
Last edited:
15 November 2025 14:45:35
Category:
Retrieved from "https://wikism.org/w/index.php?title=Fothergill_Sign&oldid=38399"