In
medicine
Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...
, the fluid wave test or fluid thrill test is a test for
ascites
Ascites (; , meaning "bag" or "sac") 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 abdo ...
(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
*
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 abdominal examination is conventionally split into four different stages: ...
*
Bulging flanks
*
Puddle sign
*
Shifting dullness
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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