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