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    Br J Surg. 1991 Feb;78(2):223-5.

    Abdominal wall tenderness: a useful sign in chronic abdominal pain.

    Source

    Department of Surgery, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, UK.

    Abstract

    The outcome in 72 patients with obscure abdominal pain and a positive Carnett's (abdominal wall tenderness) test, seen in one firm's surgical outpatient clinic between 1975 and 1983, was sought by a combination of hospital note retrieval and general practitioner questionnaire. Full follow-up data to date or death were available for 58 (81 per cent) patients and partial follow-up for 14 patients. The study showed that the patients generated a good deal of investigation and a number of surgical procedures but that seldom were their symptoms attributable to serious pathology. Familiarity with the test, taken in the context of a proper history and examination, has been found helpful in assessing such patients and saves the inconvenience, expense and occasional hazard of investigation, and even surgery.

    PMID:
    1826626
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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