how do u check for hepatomegaly when there's ascites?

wanyx · 01-12-07, 08:13

hi all..last time during my surgery posting i was confused how do we check for hepatomegaly when there is ascites. some said that we just do it as the usual method, in which we start from the RIF and ask the patient to breath in and out while we palpate.however, during percussion, how can it be possible to percuss dullness over dullness? i heard about the dipping technique...but never tried it.i thought it was just for the pro

tenzin · 06-09-08, 19:27

i think ill do fluid thrill

Crispey · 10-09-08, 06:13

I'm not sure about the percussion either. as for the dipping method, it is for palpation. with one hand, or one hand on top of the other, you dip it down in one fast motion to displace the fluid, and then press it down again at the same place to palpate for liver. start from the RIF and move up like usual. but each time dip it first, and then palpate. that was how we were taught. hope it helps.

Daniel · 12-06-09, 07:38

Look, you'd still have to percuss and palpate as you would in a normal patient. The art of medicine is that once you have mastered the correct technique in performing a certain procedure/examination, then it should apply to any patient(obese/non-obese). So in this case most probably palpation would be more reliabe than percussion.

George · 20-07-10, 12:23

It means that your liver is mildly enlarged, hepato - liver and megaly = large. The fatty changes are usually associated with drinking too much alcohol for too many years. There are other causes but that is the primary one.

______________
internet chemist

01-12-07, 08:13	#1
wanyx Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 24 Posts: 2	how do u check for hepatomegaly when there's ascites? hi all..last time during my surgery posting i was confused how do we check for hepatomegaly when there is ascites. some said that we just do it as the usual method, in which we start from the RIF and ask the patient to breath in and out while we palpate.however, during percussion, how can it be possible to percuss dullness over dullness? i heard about the dipping technique...but never tried it.i thought it was just for the pro
OFF CALL

06-09-08, 19:27	#2
tenzin Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	mmmm i think ill do fluid thrill
OFF CALL

10-09-08, 06:13	#3
Crispey Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	Dipping I'm not sure about the percussion either. as for the dipping method, it is for palpation. with one hand, or one hand on top of the other, you dip it down in one fast motion to displace the fluid, and then press it down again at the same place to palpate for liver. start from the RIF and move up like usual. but each time dip it first, and then palpate. that was how we were taught. hope it helps.
OFF CALL

12-06-09, 07:38	#4
Daniel Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cape Town Age: 22 Posts: 1	Look, you'd still have to percuss and palpate as you would in a normal patient. The art of medicine is that once you have mastered the correct technique in performing a certain procedure/examination, then it should apply to any patient(obese/non-obese). So in this case most probably palpation would be more reliabe than percussion.
OFF CALL

20-07-10, 12:23	#5
George Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11	It means that your liver is mildly enlarged, hepato - liver and megaly = large. The fatty changes are usually associated with drinking too much alcohol for too many years. There are other causes but that is the primary one. ______________ internet chemist
OFF CALL