Ewart's sign

Ewart's sign
Left scapula. Dorsal surface. (Ewart's sign below angle of the left scapula.)[1]
Differential diagnosisPericardial effusions

Ewart's sign is a set of findings on physical examination in people with large collections of fluid around their heart (pericardial effusions).[2]

Dullness to percussion (described historically as "woody" in quality), egophony, and bronchial breath sounds may be appreciated at the inferior angle of the left scapula when the effusion is large enough to compress the left lower lobe of the lung, causing consolidation or atelectasis.[3]

Eponym

It was first described by William Ewart in 1896.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ "Definition: Ewart's sign from Online Medical Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2007-08-13.
  2. ^ Smedema, J; Katjitae, I; Reuter, H; Doubell, A.F (November 2000). "Ewart's sign in tuberculous pericarditis". South African Medical Journal. 90 (11): 1115. PMID 11196032. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Atelectasis". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  4. ^ synd/2346 at Who Named It?
  5. ^ W. Ewart: Practical aids in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion, in connection with the question as to surgical treatment. British Medical Journal, London, 1896, 1: 717-721.


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