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Shifting Dullness Test

Indication
1. Confirming presence of Ascites
Test Limitations
1. False positive Test
  1. Mesenteric fat
  2. Feces in bowel
2. Decreased sensitivity in Obesity
3. Requires at least 500 cc of ascitic fluid
Technique
1. Patient lies supine
2. Percuss from tympanic bowel down to line of dullness
  1. Mark dullness line with a pen
3. Patient turns onto side
4. After 1 minute, re-mark line of dullness
Interpretation
1. Considerable shift in line of dullness suggests Ascites

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 5/10/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.

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Shifting Dullness Test

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