Significance of examination of Skin over the abdomen
Examine for the following in the skin over abdomen
- Moles, seborrhocic warts, angiomas (considered normal changes).
- Scars
- Haemorrhagic spots, marking for paracentesis abdominis (benzene stain or cotton scall) parietal oedema, shininess etc.
- Vesicle of herpes zoster – produces abdominal pain which mimic acute abdomen
- Examine for Striae
- Erythema Ab Igne - Is a brown mottled pigmentation produced by constant application of heat.
- Pigmentation of midline below the umbilicusis the Linea nigra in pregnancy
- Bruising over the periumbilicus and flanks noted in hemorrhagic pancreatitis [Cullen's sign and Grey Turner's sign respectively).
- Prominent superficial veins: Distended veins around umbilicus (caput medusae) signifies portal hyper tension, but this is rarely seen.
