In
medicine
Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pract ...
, the fluid wave test or fluid thrill test is a test for
ascites
Ascites is the abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen. Technically, it is more than 25 ml of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, although volumes greater than one liter may occur. Symptoms may include increased abdominal size, increased weight, ab ...
(free fluid in the peritoneal cavity). It is performed by having the patient (or a colleague) push their hands down on the midline of the abdomen. The examiner then taps one flank, while feeling on the other flank for the tap. The pressure on the midline prevents vibrations through the abdominal wall while the fluid allows the tap to be felt on the other side.
The result is considered positive if tap can be felt on the other side. However, even with the midline pressure, transmission through the skin must be excluded.
A positive fluid wave test indicates that there is a free fluid (ascites) in the abdomen. When one side of the abdomen is pressed, the other side may also be painful due to the transfer of the fluid in it.
See also
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Abdominal examination
An abdominal examination is a portion of the physical examination which a physician or nurse uses to clinically observe the abdomen of a patient for signs of disease. The physical examination typically occurs after a thorough medical history is ...
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Bulging flanks
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Puddle sign
In gastroenterology, the puddle sign is a physical examination maneuver that can be used to detect the presence of ascites. It is useful for detecting small amounts of ascites—as small as 120 mL; shifting dullness and bulging flanks typically ...
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Shifting dullness
In medicine, shifting dullness refers to a sign elicited on physical examination for ascites (fluid in the peritoneal cavity).Murray Longmore, Ian B. Wilinson, Edward H. Dawvidson, Alexander Foulkes and Ahmad R. Mafi ''Oxford Handbook of Clinical M ...
References
* Bickley & Szilagyi. Bate's Guide to physical examination and history taking. 2003.
{{Digestive system and abdomen symptoms and signs
Diagnostic gastroenterology
Physical examination
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