TABLE 2

Physical Examination Findings That May Be Present in Patients with Cirrhosis

Body part/system
Examination finding
Muscle wasting
Central nervous
General
system
Head
Chest
Abdomen
Hands and nails
Asterixis (tremor of the hand with wrist extension)
Drowsiness, confusion
Fetor hepaticus: sweet odor of the
breath attributable to increased concen-
trations of dimethyl sulfide
Jaundice: may see yellowing of mucous membranes beneath the tongue
Parotid enlargement
Scleral icterus
Spider nevi
Gynecomastia
Spider nevi
Thinning axillary hair
Ascites
Caput medusae (engorged superfi- cial epigastric veins radiating from the
umbilicus)
Contracted or enlarged liver
Hemorrhoids
Splenomegaly
Clubbing
Dupuytren contracture (progressive fibrosis of palmar fascia, resulting in limited
extension of the fingers)
Palmar erythema
Terry nails (whiteness of proximal half of nail plate)
Testicular atrophy
Genitourinary
(male)
Lower
extremities
Distal erythema Edema
Petechiae
Information from references 16 and 17.
Print