The Sonographic Murphy’s sign is a key diagnostic finding in abdominal ultrasound, specifically indicating acute cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation. It is elicited when localized pain is reported by the patient upon direct pressure from the ultrasound probe over the visualized gallbladder. This sign helps differentiate acute cholecystitis from other causes of right upper quadrant pain.
This clinical maneuver, performed under real-time ultrasound guidance, significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy. Its presence, coupled with other sonographic findings like gallbladder wall thickening or pericholecystic fluid, strongly suggests acute cholecystitis. As a non-invasive and immediate assessment, the Sonographic Murphy’s sign is invaluable in emergency medicine and general abdominal imaging.
