Which sign describes periumbilical ecchymosis?

Which sign describes periumbilical ecchymosis?

• A. Cullen's sign
• B. Grey Turner's sign
• C. Ecchymosis
• D. Mottling

Answer: (A)

Cullen's sign describes periumbilical ecchymosis. It appears as bluish discoloration around the belly button when blood from intra-abdominal bleeding tracks to the subcutaneous tissues at the umbilicus. This pattern can be seen with conditions like acute pancreatitis or ruptured ectopic pregnancy, where there is intra-abdominal hemorrhage. In contrast, Grey Turner's sign is bruising of the flanks indicating retroperitoneal bleeding, ecchymosis is a general term for bruising anywhere, and mottling is a patchy skin discoloration from poor perfusion rather than a specific abdominal sign.

Cullen's sign describes periumbilical ecchymosis. It appears as bluish discoloration around the belly button when blood from intra-abdominal bleeding tracks to the subcutaneous tissues at the umbilicus. This pattern can be seen with conditions like acute pancreatitis or ruptured ectopic pregnancy, where there is intra-abdominal hemorrhage. In contrast, Grey Turner's sign is bruising of the flanks indicating retroperitoneal bleeding, ecchymosis is a general term for bruising anywhere, and mottling is a patchy skin discoloration from poor perfusion rather than a specific abdominal sign.