What does a positive psoas sign indicate?

What does a positive psoas sign indicate?

• A. Renal colic
• B. Diverticulitis
• C. Appendicitis
• D. Chronic pancreatitis

Answer: (C)

A positive psoas sign is indicative of irritation of the iliopsoas muscle, often due to an underlying condition affecting structures in the abdomen. Most commonly, a positive psoas sign suggests an inflamed appendix, which can cause irritation of the nearby psoas muscle. This occurs because the inflamed appendix may be in close proximity to the psoas muscle, leading to pain when the muscle is stretched or contracted—typically assessed by asking the patient to raise their right leg while lying down. In the context of appendicitis, the psoas sign is helpful as a clinical assessment tool along with other signs and symptoms, such as right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and changes in appetite. It assists healthcare providers in making a diagnosis and determining the need for further examination or intervention, such as surgical consultation. While renal colic, diverticulitis, and chronic pancreatitis can also cause abdominal pain, they are usually associated with different clinical signs or patient presentations that do not specifically engage the psoas muscle. Therefore, when assessing for conditions that elicit a positive psoas sign, appendicitis stands out as the most likely diagnosis.

A positive psoas sign is indicative of irritation of the iliopsoas muscle, often due to an underlying condition affecting structures in the abdomen. Most commonly, a positive psoas sign suggests an inflamed appendix, which can cause irritation of the nearby psoas muscle. This occurs because the inflamed appendix may be in close proximity to the psoas muscle, leading to pain when the muscle is stretched or contracted—typically assessed by asking the patient to raise their right leg while lying down.

In the context of appendicitis, the psoas sign is helpful as a clinical assessment tool along with other signs and symptoms, such as right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and changes in appetite. It assists healthcare providers in making a diagnosis and determining the need for further examination or intervention, such as surgical consultation.

While renal colic, diverticulitis, and chronic pancreatitis can also cause abdominal pain, they are usually associated with different clinical signs or patient presentations that do not specifically engage the psoas muscle. Therefore, when assessing for conditions that elicit a positive psoas sign, appendicitis stands out as the most likely diagnosis.