Different diseases are represented by a variety of symptoms. And it is thanks to such reactions of the body that doctors are determined with diagnoses. Now I want to consider the symptoms of Ortner, Murphy: when they are activated and what problems with the body indicate.
A bit about diseases
Initially, it should be noted that the Murphy reaction is a symptom that most often is an indicator of a disease such as cholecystitis (this is an inflammatory process in the gallbladder). However, it can also occur with inflammation of appendicitis. Again, the diagnosis is made after palpation of a certain area on the human body, as a result of which the patient responds in a special way to the pressure of the doctor.
What is a Murphy symptom?
You must also deal with the term itself. This body reaction is named after the scientist Murphy. This symptom is manifested as a result of the doctor’s actions, that is, palpation of a certain area of the body.
- With cholecystitis, the doctor presses a little in the right hypochondrium of the patient. The doctor’s hand should be positioned so that the thumb is slightly below the costal arch, that is, approximately in the area of the gallbladder. The remaining fingers are located on the edge of the costal arch. The doctor asks the patient to take a deep breath. If it is painful or impossible, we can say that Murphy's symptom is positive. That is, a person has suspicions of cholecystitis.
- If we are talking about appendicitis and even the onset of peritonitis, then there will be a blunting of percussion sound on the right side of the body.
What does statistics show?
Speaking about Murphy's symptom, it should also be noted that this indicator does not always occur in patients with cholecystitis. This occurs only in about a third of patients. That is why it is important to note that it is unreasonable to make a diagnosis on the basis of only a symptom. Moreover, this is a very specific indicator.
Murphy's non-classic way of identifying a symptom
In medical dictionaries, one can also find a slightly different way of determining the disease according to Murphy's symptom. In this case, the patient will not need to lie on his back. So, the doctor will need to grab the patient’s torso with his left hand so that the thumb is located in the area of the right hypochondrium. Next, the patient will need to exhale, as a result of which the finger will have to plunge deep into the body. After you have to take a breath. If painful sensations arise at the moment, doctors are inclined to say that Murphy's symptom is positive. But in this case, it should be noted that this method of determining the positive reaction is applicable to small people or children. With large-body patients, this diagnostic method will be completely irrelevant.
A few words about Ortner's symptom
It is also a symptom that may indicate a problem solely as a result of pain. This diagnostic method is based on striking the edge of the costal arch of the patient (on the right side). If pain is currently occurring, then Ortner's symptom is considered positive. But there is also a test point. So, for accuracy it is necessary to carry out similar manipulations on the left side of the body. If soreness also arises here, this is not about cholecystitis. You need to look for another problem. Or, as an option, verify the veracity of the patient's words.
Other similar symptoms with gallbladder problems
No one will argue that the Murphy symptom with cholecystitis is not the only indicator of this disease. So, it is important to consider other nuances. It is interesting to note that there are quite a lot of so-called bubble symptoms. These are indicators bearing the names of such scientists as Vasilenko (a symptom is useful in the early stages of the disease), Kera (soreness on inhalation), Mussi-Georgievsky (soreness on palpation of the muscle), Riesman (striking along the edges of the costal arch is mandatory when holding the breath), Boas and Lepena.