• Organs and masses
  • Liver span
  • Ascites: Fluid thrill (large amount) Shifting dullness

examines fluid or gas contents of the mass - dull (fluid, tissue) or resonance (Gas, Cyst)

Done to lipoma’s

Step of measuring organ size

  1. Percuss the nine regions
  2. Check for any mass… etc..
  3. Shifting, costrophrenic angle percussion for pyelonephritis
  4. start from right to left region to check any megaly/mass
  5. start midclavical line - 2nd intercostal space
  6. place fingers flat - measure by both sides by placing marked dullness from illiac fossa and below the clavicles - size 8-12 male // 8-10 females
  • for spleen, same steps as above but on opposite side
  • check for ascites and costrophrenic angle

Costophrenic angle for pyelonephritis place palm on back, and use fist to percuss

  • dulness and ressonance is not important in this part of examination
  • Mostly to check if there is any mass

fluid Assessment of abdominal

Ascites - Fluid thrill test Severe ascites, will resulted in …

  1. main indicator by simple touch, with slight movement of abdominal region
  2. Put hand on other side, and stimulate the abdomen from opposite side - (((whilst asking patient put their hand in midline))); to prevent transmission of fluid through anterior abdominal wall

shifting dullness Mild to moderate ascites are usually on flanks - You can check by percussion -

  1. dullness progressively getting more by flanks -
  2. to assure its ascites or mass; keep hand same position by 20-30 seconds;
  3. do the percussion again after switching patient to other side; if mass it will be dull - if ascites the fluid directed downwards resulting in shifting dullness & resonance -