Kerr's sign

Kerr's Sign is a clinical sign in medicine that is associated with ectopic pregnancy. It is named after the Scottish surgeon, John Kerr, who first described it in 1909.

Definition

Kerr's Sign is the presence of referred pain in the shoulder following irritation of the diaphragm or the peritoneum. This is caused by blood or other fluids accumulating in the abdominal cavity, which irritates the nerves that lead to the shoulder.

Clinical Significance

Kerr's Sign is most commonly associated with ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This can lead to rupture of the tube and internal bleeding, causing irritation of the diaphragm and resulting in referred shoulder pain.

However, Kerr's Sign can also be seen in other conditions that cause irritation of the diaphragm or peritoneum, such as a ruptured spleen, liver damage, or peritonitis.

Diagnosis

The presence of Kerr's Sign alone is not sufficient to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or other abdominal condition. It is one of many signs and symptoms that doctors consider when making a diagnosis. Other symptoms of ectopic pregnancy can include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and amenorrhea.

If Kerr's Sign is present, doctors may perform further tests such as an ultrasound or a blood test to measure levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Treatment

Treatment for conditions causing Kerr's Sign depends on the underlying cause. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, treatment options can include medication to stop the growth of the pregnancy, or surgery to remove it.

See Also

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Referred pain
• Peritoneum
• Diaphragm (anatomy)