Kehr sign is defined as what?

Kehr sign is defined as what?

• A. Referred left shoulder pain from a splenic rupture
• B. Abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant
• C. Chest pain radiating to the shoulder
• D. Right shoulder pain

Answer: (A)

Kehr sign is left shoulder pain caused by irritation of the diaphragmatic peritoneum, most classically from intra-abdominal bleeding after splenic rupture. When blood irritates the diaphragm, the phrenic nerve (C3–C5) carries that pain to the shoulder region, especially the left shoulder tip. In trauma, the appearance of left shoulder pain alongside abdominal injury strongly suggests splenic injury and possible intra-abdominal hemorrhage. This is why the described option—referred left shoulder pain from a splenic rupture—is the correct characterization. The other options describe different pain patterns that don’t involve diaphragmatic irritation with splenic injury.

Kehr sign is left shoulder pain caused by irritation of the diaphragmatic peritoneum, most classically from intra-abdominal bleeding after splenic rupture. When blood irritates the diaphragm, the phrenic nerve (C3–C5) carries that pain to the shoulder region, especially the left shoulder tip. In trauma, the appearance of left shoulder pain alongside abdominal injury strongly suggests splenic injury and possible intra-abdominal hemorrhage. This is why the described option—referred left shoulder pain from a splenic rupture—is the correct characterization. The other options describe different pain patterns that don’t involve diaphragmatic irritation with splenic injury.