Hannington-Kiff sign

Hannington-Kiff sign is a medical term referring to the absence of abdominal pain when the head of the pancreas is palpated. This sign is often used in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases.

Overview

The Hannington-Kiff sign is named after the British surgeon, John Hannington-Kiff, who first described it in 1980. The sign is considered positive when a patient does not experience pain during palpation of the head of the pancreas. This is unusual as most pancreatic diseases, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, typically cause severe abdominal pain.

Clinical Significance

The Hannington-Kiff sign is used in the clinical setting to aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases. It is particularly useful in the early detection of pancreatic cancer, as the absence of pain can indicate a tumor in the head of the pancreas. However, it is not a definitive diagnostic tool and should be used in conjunction with other diagnostic methods such as imaging studies and biopsy.

Limitations

While the Hannington-Kiff sign can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases, it has its limitations. The sign is not always present in patients with pancreatic disease, and it can also be present in patients without any pancreatic disease. Therefore, it should not be used as the sole method of diagnosis.

See Also

• Pancreatic cancer
• Pancreatitis
• John Hannington-Kiff
• Abdominal pain
• Imaging studies
• Biopsy

References

Hannington-Kiff sign Resources
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