Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
J Kean
C Stephens
J Hughes
S Enoch
Authors
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1st Edition, May 2010, Doctors Academy Publications
ISBN : 978-93-80573-14-4
Cover page Design : Sreekanth S.S
Type Setting : Lakshmi Sreekanth
Contact : publishing@doctorsacademy.org.uk
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Preface
A meticulous yet concise clinical examination forms the cornerstone of
surgical practice. With the introduction of the new MRCS OSCE style
examination, clinical skills are now tested alongside core knowledge and
fundamental surgical principles, and its application in everyday practice.
Whereas previous MRCS candidates had valuable study time between
passing the viva and sitting the clinical exam, candidates appearing from
the OSCE style must simultaneously balance knowledge-based study
with their clinical examination skills.
- JK
- CS
- JH
- SE
iv
Acknowledgements
v
Contents
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Abdomen
CHAPTER 1
ABDOMEN
Position the patient flat on the couch and expose the abdomen,
preserving the patients dignity by keeping the groin covered unless
exposure is needed.
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Abdomen
The examiners may tell you to skip this step, move on or specify that
you examine only the abdomen.
THE HANDS
Nails
Anaemia
Clubbing (Crohns disease, Ulcerative colitis, Cirrhosis)
Leuconychia (Caused by hypoproteinaemia associated with liver
disease)
Koilonychia (Spoon shaped nails seen in iron deficiency anaemia)
THE FACE
Eyes
Mouth
Dentition
Ulcers (Inflammatory bowel disease, herpes simplex)
Tongue
o Dehydration
o Smooth, red, beefy (B12 deficiency)
Angular stomatitis
o Caused by iron, folate and vitamin B/C deficiency
o Also seen in herpes simplex and oral candidiasis
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
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Abdomen
Hepatic Foetor
Spider Naevi are found along the distribution of the Superior Vena
Cava (i.e., above the nipple line) and are associated with oestrogen
excess
o More than five are significant in women
o The presence of any is significant in men
Purpura, petechiae
o Can be caused by low platelets or raised prothrombin time
Gynaecomastia
Signs of pruritus scratch marks
a) Inspect for
Scratch marks
Swelling, distension
Caput medusae
Skin changes (bruising, signs of weight loss)
Scars
Striae
Any visible pulsations
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Abdomen
Ask the patient to cough or lift his/her head off the bed to reveal any
herniae or signs of peritonism (unlikely in the exam!). Do not forget to
do this as this can reveal considerable pathology and allow you to
focus the rest of the examination.
b) Palpate
Figure 1.1: Palpation of the abdomen with the flat of the fingers
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Abdomen
Tenderness
Rigidity
Guarding
Liver:
Start in the right iliac fossa, asking the patient to take deep breaths
in and out. Move your hand upwards towards the costal margin
during inspiration until you feel a liver edge on expiration (Figure
1.2).
If the liver is palpable check the
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Abdomen
Gallbladder:
Feel under the liver edge for a palpable gallbladder (Figure 1.3).
Murphys test: With your hand in the position of the gallbladder, fingers
pointing up, ask the patient to take a deep breath in and out. Pain on
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Abdomen
Abdominal aorta:
c) Percuss for
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
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Abdomen
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Abdomen
d) Auscultate
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Abdomen
Spleen:
Start palpating in the right iliac fossa, using the same breathing
technique as for liver palpation. However, this time move gradually
towards the left upper quadrant (Figure 1.4). Note the size, texture
and edge of the spleen.
Kidneys:
If you have not yet found any abnormality, tell the examiner you would
like to expose the genitalia and examine the groin, inguinal canal and
femoral pulses.
b) Inspection
Inspect the groin and scrotum looking for any obvious swellings
Ask the patient to cough
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Abdomen
Look for surgical scars in the groin (may have been used for testicular
approach) and scrotum (may be difficult to see as they are often in
the median raphe)
c) Palpation
Place the fingers of one hand behind the testis and palpate
using the other (Figure 1.10). Use the thumb to assess the
normal contour. The surface should be smooth and regular.
Palpate the spermatic cord between thumb and index finger (Figure
1.11)
If there is a lump :
Is it separate from the testis?
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Abdomen
Figure 1.11: Palpation of the spermatic cord between the thumb and
index finger
Does it transilluminate?
Can you get above it?
Complete the examination by saying you would like to examine the
rest of the groin and abdomen if you have not done so already.
Remember that the lymphatic drainage of the testes is to the para-
aortic nodes, which will not be palpable. The penis and scrotal skin,
however, drains to the inguinal nodes, so if there is pathology here
(i.e., Squamous Cell Carcinoma) you should examine the inguinal
nodes.
7. SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS
A) TESTICULAR TUMOURS
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Abdomen
Non-tender
Non trans-illuminable
You can get above it
Tell the examiner that you would complete the examination by
palpating for hepatomegaly and listening to the chest (for liver and
lung metastases)
B) HERNIAE
Inguinal Hernia
Inspection
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Abdomen
Palpation
Femoral Hernia
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Abdomen
In femoral hernia:
Other herniae
Inspection
Describe any scars and look for other scars, stomas etc
Ask the patient to lift their head off the bed and look for bulging of
the hernia or scar
Palpation
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Abdomen
Auscultate
Completion
Tell the examiner that you would move on to examine the rest of the
abdomen if you have not already done so.
C) STOMAS
If you are asked to examine a patient with a stoma you will usually be
instructed to inspect only. Do not touch the patient unless you are
instructed to. You should be familiar with the different types of stoma
and their relevant sites. If there is a bag covering the stoma you may
only be expected to comment on the site and contents before moving
onto the rest of the abdomen.
Inspection
Site
Mucosal lining
Is there a spout or is it flush with the skin?
Number of openings end (1) vs. loop (2)
Contents of the bag (colour, consistency)
Do not get confused by a urostomy or cholecystostomy
Inspect the rest of the abdomen (scars, other stomas or previous
stoma sites)
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Abdomen
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Abdomen
Jaundice
How can jaundice be classified and what are the major causes?
How would you investigate a patient with surgical jaundice?
Please interpret these liver function tests!
Hepatomegaly
Splenomegaly
Transplanted Kidney
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
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Abdomen
Questions:
Enlarged Kidney
Ascites
Hydrocoele
o a firm swelling
o inseparable from the testis (unless it is a hydrocoele of the
cord)
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Abdomen
o transillumination
o The examining fingers can get above it.
Questions:
o What is a hydrocoele?
o What are the treatment options (surgical & non-surgical)?
o What is the anatomical classification of hydrocoeles?
Varicocele
Questions:
o What is a varicocele?
o Give reasons (about three) why 98% of varicoceles are left-
sided?
o What are the treatment options?
Epididymal Cyst:
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Abdomen
Questions:
Testicular Tumours
Inguinal Hernia
When explaining treatment options for hernia, ensure that you consider
non-surgical and surgical treatments. Remember to mention that you
would address and control anaesthetic risk factors prior to surgery,
particularly cardio-respiratory disease, as well as encouraging weight-
loss.
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Abdomen
Incisional Hernia
Umbilical Hernia
Epigastric Hernia
Stomas
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Back
CHAPTER 2
BACK
Muscle wasting
Asymmetry
Scoliosis
Swellings
Scars
Abnormal skin creases, hair distribution or pigmentation (these can
indicate Spina Bifida)
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Back
3. FEEL
Figure 2.1: Light percussion from neck to sacroiliac joints with the
ulnar border of fist
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Back
4. MOVE
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Back
Figure 2.4 : Schrobers test: Patient flexes the spine (bends forward)
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Back
Flexion
Extension
c Feel for crepitations in flexion and extension, asking the patient to
slowly nod (often found in cervical osteoarthritis)
Lateral flexion
Rotation
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Back
5. SPECIAL TESTS
Straight leg raise whilst the ankle is held in dorsiflexion (Figure 2.6)
o Pain in thigh, buttock and back suggests sciatica (positive at L4 or
below)
Lasegues test: foot neutral, knee flexed (Figure 2.7)
o Hip can be flexed further without pain, but the pain reappears if the
knee is then extended.
Figure 2.6 : Straight leg raise with the ankle held in dorsiflexion
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Back
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MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Back
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MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Back
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Breast
CHAPTER 3
BREAST
Position the patient sitting upright with hands on hips (Figure 3.1).
Look for
Breast symmetry
o Size, shape, nipple position
Nipple changes
o Retraction, discharge, erosion
Skin changes
o Erythema, tethering, peau dorange, lumps or lesions
o Scars, radiotherapy tattoo or burns
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Breast
Ask the patient to raise her arms and place them behind her head
(Figure 3.2).
Figure 3.1 : Position the patient sitting upright with hands on hips to
inspect the breasts
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Breast
Figure 3.2 : Position the patient sitting upright with hands behind
head to inspect the breasts
3. FEEL
Ask about pain or tenderness before touching the patient. Ask if the
patient has noticed any lumps; if so, examine the other breast first.
Position the patient lying reclined with a 45 degree tilt at the waist.
Use the flat of your fingers to palpate the breast (Figure 3.3)
All four quadrants
The central area and nipple areola complex
The axillary tail.
Now examine the axilla
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Breast
Figure 3.3 : Use the flat of your fingers to palpate the breast in all
four quadrants
Support the weight of the patients arm with your arm right for
right or left for left
Use your other hand to palpate the axilla medial, posterior,
anterior, lateral and the apex (Figure 3.4 and Figure 3.5).
Change sides and examine the other breast and axilla. If you find a
lump, describe:
Site
Size
Shape
Skin surface
Consistency
Fluctuance
Mobility or tethering ask the patient to tense her chest
muscles by pressing hands on hips whilst you attempt to move
the lump parallel and perpendicular to the pectoralis major
muscle fibres.
4. SPECIAL TESTS
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Breast
assessment.
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Breast
Breast cysts
Breast abscess and management
Fibroadenoma breast mouse
Breast screening Two-yearly mammography for ladies over the
age of 50
Triple assessment Clinical exam, histopathology and imaging
Breast cancer
Axillary node sampling
Axillary block dissection
Sentinal node biopsy
Mastectomy and options for reconstruction
Lymphoedema post-axillary lymph node dissection and its
management
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Hand
CHAPTER 4
HAND
2. LOOK:
- Say what you see!
- ensure adequate exposure with sleeves up to elbows.
- ask the patient to rest his/her hands on a pillow/desk
Check the posture and the position of the hand (cascade, clawing and
rotation).
Scars
Nails and nail folds
Digits nodules, joint deformities or subluxation
Hand skin quality, bruising, discolouration, rashes, muscle
wasting.
Ask the patient to turn his/her hands over and look at the volar aspect.
Again start with the pulps of the fingers and work down the digits looking
for any deformities or abnormal positioning of the fingers.
Scars
Nodules
Contractures
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
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Hand
Pits/Bands/Cords
Palmar erythema
Muscle wasting especially in the thenar / hypothenar eminences
Also inspect the forearms and elbows for scars, nodules and skin
conditions
3. FEEL
Assess the capillary return (normal is less than 2 secs), pulses and
consider Allens test to assess for compromised circulation in the palm
suggestive of a radial or ulnar artery pathology.
Feel for bony swellings such as squaring of CMC joint of the thumb
and Heberdens or Bouchards nodes
Feel the muscle bulk in the thenar and the hypothenar eminences,
and compare it with the other side
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Hand
4. MOVE
Flexor digitorum profundus - stabilise the PIPJ and ask the patient to
flex at the DIPJ (Figure 4.2).
NB: To simply check for extension of the thumb, ask the patient to
place his/her hand palm down on the table and see if he/she are able
to raise his/her thumb off the table. Feel for integrity of the Extensor
Pollicis Longus tendon. (In conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis or
post-Colles fracture, the Extensor Pollicis Longus tendon may undergo
attrition rupture as the tendon swings around the dorsal radial tubercle
([Listers tubercle]).
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Hand
Therefore to simply test the median nerve motor function ask the patient
to abduct the thumb (lift the thumb towards the ceiling) and oppose it
against the little finger (ideally without opposing the little finger
concurrently).
If there is any loss of median nerve function, evaluate for any evidence
of carpal tunnel syndrome including Phalens and Tinels tests
Phalens test passively hyperflex the patients wrists and hold in that
position for up to a minute. The test is positive if the patients reports
numbness, tingling or pain in the distribution of the median nerve (Figure
4.4).
Tinels test tap lightly over the carpal tunnel. Again the test is positive
if the patient reports numbness, tingling or pain in the distribution of
the median nerve (Figure 4.5).
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
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Hand
To simply test the ulnar nerve motor function, ask the patient to cross
or scissor their index and middle fingers together. This assesses
abduction and adduction.
Remember PAD and DAB
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Hand
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Kean J, Stephens C, Hughes J, Enoch S. Focused Clinical Examination for
MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Hand
Also test for Froments sign - ask the patient to grasp a piece of paper
between the index finger and the thumb. You then try to pull the paper
away. If there is an ulnar nerve lesion, the distal phalanx of the thumb
flexes (due to action of the unaffected flexor pollicis longus) to
compensate for the weak muscle (adductor pollicis) that is supplied
by the ulnar nerve. This is a positive Froments sign (Figure 4.8).
To simply test radial nerve motor function ask the patient to extend the
fingers and wrist against resistance.
Say you would test for light touch and pinprick, as well as 2-point
discrimination.
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Hand
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Hand
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MRCS Finals (OSCE). Doctors Academy Publications
Hand
a. Nail/nail bed
b. Skin
c. Subcutaneous tissue
d. Palmar fascia
e. Tendon
f. Joint/synovium
g. Bone
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Hand
Duputyrens disease
Arthritis OA/RA and psoriotic arthropathy
Trigger finger
Ganglions
Mallet finger
Features of Rheumatoid hand
Management of Rheumatoid hand
Ulna nerve lesions and the concept of the ulna paradox
Median neve lesions and carpal tunnel syndrome
Radial nerve lesions
Clinical anatomy of brachial plexus and lesions
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Hip
CHAPTER 5
HIP
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Hip
3. ASSESS GAIT
Ask the patient whether he/she uses any walking aids. Then ask him/
her to walk across the room and back.
Get the patient to place his/her hands on yours. Ask him/her to stand
on each leg in turn. Look for pelvic movement on the opposite side.
Note any pressure on your hands (Figure 5.1).
The test is negative if the pelvis tilts upwards on the opposite side
(this is normal)
The test is positive if the pelvis tilts downwards on the opposite side
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Hip
a) Look
Check whether the Anterior Superior Iliac Spines (ASIS) are at the
same level
Look at position of patella and foot on each side (for external rotation)
Look at the angle between thigh and bed (any fixed flexion
deformity?)
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Hip
b) Feel
c) Measure
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Hip
Figure 5.3 : Measuring the leg length from the xiphisternum to the
medial malleolus
Figure 5.4 : Measuring the leg length from the ASIS to the medial
malleolus
2. True leg length: From ASIS to medial malleolus (Figure 5.4)
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Hip
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Hip
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Hip
? # NOF: You will not get a patient with an acute # NOF but may get
asked to review an X-Ray -
Gardens classification
Complications
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Knee
CHAPTER 6
KNEE
Look for:
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Knee
3. OBSERVE GAIT
Ask the patient whether he/she uses any walking aids, then ask him/
her to walk across the room and back
a) Look
Deformities (varus/valgus)
Deviation of patella
b) Feel
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Knee
d) Move
e) Special tests
c With the patients knees flexed, sit on his/her feet and move each
lower leg forwards and backwards looking for excess movement
and posterior sag (Figure 6.4 and Figure 6.5)
c This tests the stability of the anterior and posterior cruciate
ligaments
c You can also check cruciate stability with the Lachman test, but
only if you have large hands! Hold the thigh posteriorly and the leg
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Knee
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Knee
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Knee
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Knee
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Knee
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Neck
CHAPTER 7
NECK
Look for
General condition of patient - cachectic?
Obvious neck lumps / swellings or asymmetry
Scars
Post radiotherapy skin changes. e.g., telangectasia
Facial asymmetry, e.g., post-surgical palsy
NB: Observe around the bay for a cup of water which may indicate
this is a thyroid examination.
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Neck
If unsure, start by asking for a cup of water and asking the patient to
swallow/protrude their tongue. If this is not a thyroid examination the
examiners will move you along otherwise proceed with the thyroid
examination as described in CHAPTER 13: THYROID.
Size
Mobility in relation to underlying structures
Consistency (hard/firm/rubbery), nodularity, fluctuance
Tenderness
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Neck
Tracheal position
Oral cavity and aerodigestive tract flexible nasal endoscopy
Voice and vocal cord function
Cutaneous lesions on the face / scalp
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Neck
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Parotid
CHAPTER 8
PAROTID
Look for
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Parotid
3. PALPATE
Move behind the patient and feel for presence of any lumps
around the cheek/angle of the jaw
Size
Shape
Edges / Surface
Consistency / Nodularity
Fluctuance
Compressibility
Reducibility
Fixity / Tethering
4. INTRAORAL EXAMINATION
Look inside the mouth and sweep a gloved finger along the inside
the cheek to feel for any stones in the parotid duct.
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Parotid
NB: The parotid duct opens into a papilla the level of the second
upper molar.
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Parotid
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Parotid
Figure 8.4 : Examining the buccal branch of the facial nerve: Puff
out your cheeks
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Parotid
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Parotid
Discussion related to what advice you would give the patient for
different ABPI readings
Appropriate investigations for peripheral vascular disease
Management of peripheral vascular disease including
conservative, endovascular and surgical
Indications for amputation
Types of amputation and selection of amputation level
Surgical principles of below knee and above knee amputations
Prosthetic limbs
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PVS 1 Lower Limb
CHAPTER 9
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR
SYSTEM 1
- LOWER LIMB
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS YOU MAY GET ASKED:
GENERAL:
Observe the patient and the surroundings from the end of the bed
Look for any evidence of obvious signs of cardiovascular disease,
e.g., bypass scars, GTN spray
Inspect the hands looking for nicotine staining, tendon xanthomata,
nail fold infarcts and splinter haemorrhages and nail changes
and hair for changes suggestive of arterial disease, i.e., thin/shiny
skin and hair loss.
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SPECIFIC:
Gangrene
3. PALPATION:
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Check the capillary refill time in toes of both feet. (NB: normal = <2
sec)
- With the patient lying supine, ask if they have any pain or restriction
in hip movements. Then lift both legs slowly (ideally in about 10
degree increments and waiting for 10 seconds at each stage)
and evaluate the angle at which the leg becomes pale or white
(Figure 9.1). This is known as Buergers angle in normal
subjects it should be greater than 90 degrees (even if the limb is
flexed further at the hip, there should be no colour change in the
limb). In patients with peripheral vascular disease, the limb may
go pale as it is lifted and reaches a certain angle. If the angle is
less than 25-30 degrees, it suggests severe ischemia.
- You will usually also see evidence of venous guttering as you are
performing this test which you should comment on.
- Once you have established Buergers angle, sit the patient up and
swing the legs over the side of the couch. Watch for the foot to
reperfuse (Figure 9.2) in normal subjects there should be no
colour change but in patients with peripheral vascular disease,
you will observe the legs becoming a dusky crimson/purple colour,
which is caused by reactive hyperaemia. This represents a
positive Buergers test.
Note the time taken to achieve venous filling and establish reactive
hyperaemia.
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- Popliteal felt deep in the midline of the popliteal fossa with the
knee flexed to ~30 degrees (Figure 9.3).
- Dorsalis pedis - felt in the 1st webspace, just lateral to the extensor
hallucis longus tendon on the dorsal surface of the foot
(dorsiflexion of the hallux may aid palpation) (Figure 9.5).
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If unable to palpate pulses clinically say you would like to use a Doppler
Ultrasound (Figure 9.6).
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Remember also to check the radial pulse and assess for radio-femoral
delay.
4. AUSCULTATION
Listen for bruits over the femoral triangle and subsartorial canal/Hunters
canal (anteromedial aspect of the thigh, approximately one hands
breadth above the knee).
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Discussion related to what advice you would give the patient for
different ABPI readings
Appropriate investigations for peripheral vascular disease
Management of peripheral vascular disease including
conservative, endovascular and surgical
Indications for amputation
Types of amputation and selection of amputation level
Surgical principles of below knee and above knee amputations
Prosthetic limbs
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PVS 2 Upper Limb
CHAPTER 10
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR
SYSTEM 2
Ensure adequate exposure of both upper limbs you may need to ask
the patient to remove his/her top.
2. INSPECT
GENERAL:
Observe the patient and his/her surroundings from the end of the bed
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Look at the skin and hair for changes suggestive of arterial disease i.e.
thin/shiny skin and hair loss.
SPECIFIC:
Signs of oedema
3. PALPATION:
Compare the temperature of both hands using the dorsum of your hand.
Check the capillary refill time in toes of both hands. (NB: normal = <2
sec)
Feel for the radial pulse bilaterally and compare for radial-radial delay
Feel for the radial pulses bilaterally whilst applying gentle traction on
the shoulder
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Identify the ulnar and radial pulsations. Ask the patient to elevate the
hand and make a fist then occlude both vessels with direct pressure
(Figure 10.1). Ask the patient to open and close his/her palm until it
appears pale (Figure 10.2). Release the radial side and observe for
reperfusion of the hand, which signifies an intact radial artery (Figure
10.3). Repeat for the ulnar side (Figure 10.4). Remember that the
ulnar artery is the dominant vessel to the hand in the majority of patients.
Palpate the brachial pulse, and axillary/subclavian/carotid pulses
bilaterally
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Palpate around the neck, above the clavicle in the supraclavicular fossa,
for evidence of a cervical rib.
4. AUSCULTATION
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Shoulder
Raynauds disease
Cervical rib / thoracic outlet obstruction
Subclavian steal syndrome
Axillary vein thrombosis
Anatomical landmarks for obtaining central venous access
through the axillary vein
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Shoulder
CHAPTER 11
SHOULDER
3. FEEL
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Shoulder
Palpate the spine of the scapula, the scapula borders and the
surrounding muscles.
Palpate the head of the humerus via the axilla.
4. MOVE
5. SPECIAL TESTS
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Shoulder
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Shoulder
Test for light touch sensation over the lateral deltoid (Figure 11.5).
If paraesthesia is present, this is It may indicate axillary nerve
injury as occurs in anterior shoulder dislocation.
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Shoulder
Figure 11.6 : Examining for the integrity of the long head of biceps
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Superficial Lesions
CHAPTER 12
SUPERFICIAL LESIONS
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3. PALPATE
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Thyroid
CHAPTER 13
THYROID
Look for
General condition of patient over or underweight, appropriately
dressed for current weather, agitation or listlessness?
Any immediately obvious systemic features of thyroid disease?
Obvious neck lumps/goitre?
Neck scars?
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Remember to warn the patient you are about to start palpation and
ask about pain and tenderness.
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Thyroid
Say you would also like to feel for a lingual thyroid and examine for
systemic features of thyroid disease.
a) Hands
Temperature / sweating
Clubbing / thyroid acropachy / onycholysis
Palmar erythema
Tremor (ask patient to stretch out hands and close eyes)
b) Radial pulse
AF or tachycardia
c) Face
Dry skin
Loss or coarsening of hair
Loss of lateral third of eyebrows
Oedema
d) Eyes
Ask the patient to follow your finger downwards with his/her eyes
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Varicose Veins
CHAPTER 14
VARICOSE VEINS
Inspect from all sides - easiest done by kneeling in front of the patient
then asking the patient to turn around.
Look for:
Varicosities i.e. dilated, tortuous veins along the long and short
saphenous systems
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NB: Remember surface landmarks for the long saphenous and short
saphenous veins as you may be expected to describe the course and
this will also help establish the origin of any varicosities identified.
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Look for evidence of port-wine stains and soft tissue limb hypertrophy
together with varicosities, particularly around the lateral thigh, which
may be associated with congenital disorders or underlying arterio-
venous malformations e.g. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
Feel down the leg over the course of the long saphenous and then
short saphenous veins for tenderness along the veins which may
indicate perforator incompetence.
NB: The perforators in the long saphenous vein that are clinically
important are 5, 10 and 15 cms above the medial malleolus, one a few
cms below the knee joint, one a few cms above the knee joint, one in
the adductor canal and one in the upper thigh.
Look for the varicosities collapsing as the patient lies down. If they
remain engorged, you should consider an arterio-venous fistula of
physical obstruction to venous drainage rather than varicose veins.
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TRENDELENBERG TEST
With the patient lying supine, lift his/her leg to about 45 degrees and
gently empty the veins (this may be aided by milking the veins) (Figure
14.1).
NB: It is a good idea to ask the patient for any pain or restriction in
movements in the hip joint before lifting the leg.
Occlude the sapheno-femoral junction (Figure 14.2) and ask the patient
to stand up ensuring that the finger or thumb is firmly over the junction
(Figure 14.3).
- If the superficial veins do not fill and the varicosities are controlled at
the level of the sapheno-femoral junction by occluding it, it strongly
suggests sapheno-femoral incompetence. This can be confirmed by
releasing the pressure from the sapheno-femoral junction that will cause
the blood to return from the femoral vein into the saphenous vein (through
the incompetent sapheno-femoral junction), resulting in the varicosities
becoming prominent.
- As the patient stands, if the veins fill from below with the sapheno-
femoral junction occluded, incompetent perforators are the most likely
cause for the varicosities.
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TOURNIQUET TEST
The tourniquet test follows the same principle but is easier to perform
than Trendelenbergs test as it uses a tourniquet to control the sapheno-
femoral junction rather than the examiners fingers.
It also has the added advantage that if varicosities are due to perforator
incompetence, it can be performed further down the leg to identify the
level of the incompetence (Figure 14.4 and Figure 14.5).
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Once the superficial venous system has been controlled with the
tourniquet you can perform Perthes test to assess the patency of the
deep venous system, particularly important if considering varicose vein
surgery
PERTHES TEST
With the patient standing and with the tourniquet still around the thigh
ask the patient to go up and down on his/her tiptoes or ask him/her to
walk, thus exercising the calf muscles. If the deep venous system is
intact, the calf pumps encourage venous return. However, if the deep
venous system is occluded or valves incompetent, when the patient
performs this action venous return is restricted and blood is forced into
the superficial system from the deep system, causing engorgement of
the superficial veins associated with a bursting pain.
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DOPPLER ULTRASOUND
This can be repeated at any level along the course of the superficial
venous systems to assess for perforator incompetence.
TO COMPLETE:
You may mention to the examiner that you would consider assessing
the patients peripheral circulation by feeling for all peripheral pulses
and evaluate the neurological status of the limb.
Say you would examine the patients abdomen for masses and perform
a per rectal examination if the history is suggestive of intra-abdominal
or pelvic pathology contributing to the varicosities.
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INDEX
ABDOMEN - 1 - 22 Schrobers test - 23,25,26,29
Abdominal aorta - 7 - Ankylosing spondylitis - 25, 31
Ascites - 8 BREAST - 32 - 38
Enlarged Kidney - 19 Examination - 32
- Hydrocoele - 19, 20 HAND - 39 - 51
- Varicocele - 20 Allens test - 41 (see also 92, 93)
Epididymal Cyst - 20 Dupuytrens disease - 42
Epigastric hernia - 5, 22 Examination - 39, 50
Femoral Hernia - 14, 15 Median Nerve - 44, 48
Gall bladder - 6, 7 - Phalens test - 44
Hepatomegaly - 18 - Tinels test - 44
Herniae - 13-15 Radial Nerve - 39, 47, 48, 51
Incisional Hernia - 15, 22 Ulnar Nerve - 45, 47
Inguinal Hernia - 13, 14, 21 - Froments sign - 47
- Direct - 14 HIP - 52 - 59
- Indirect - 14 Examination - 52
Jaundice - 18 OA hip - 58
Liver - 5 Post-op THR - 58
- Asterixis - 2 RA hip - 58
- Hepalomegaly - 18 Thomas test - 52, 55, 58
- Spider naevi - 3 Trendelenburg test - 52, 53, 58
- Virchows Node - 3 KNEE - 60 - 68
Murphys test - 6 Examination - 60
Splenomegaly - 18 Lachman test - 63
Stomas - 16, 22 McMurrays test - 66
- I leostomy - 22 Patellar tap - 61
- Colostomy - 22 Pivot shift test - 66
Testicular Tumour - 12 NECK - 69 - 72
Transplanted Kidney - 18 Examination - 69
BACK - 23 - 31 Examination - 73
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