Positive Kehrs sign is –
**Core Concept**
The Kehr's sign is a clinical indicator of splenic rupture, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. It is characterized by referred pain to the left shoulder due to the spread of blood or other irritants from the splenic capsule to the diaphragm and subsequently to the referred pain area in the left shoulder.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the mechanism of referred pain. When the splenic capsule is injured, blood or other irritants spread to the diaphragm, which is innervated by the phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve also provides sensory innervation to the left shoulder region. As a result, the pain from the splenic rupture is referred to the left shoulder, a phenomenon known as Kehr's sign. This referred pain is a result of the convergence of visceral and somatic afferent fibers in the spinal cord.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately describe the clinical presentation of splenic rupture. Referred pain to the left shoulder is a hallmark of Kehr's sign, whereas pain in the left upper quadrant is more indicative of peritoneal irritation.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it does not specifically mention the referred pain to the left shoulder, which is the defining characteristic of Kehr's sign.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately describe the clinical presentation of splenic rupture. While a patient with splenic rupture may exhibit abdominal tenderness, this is not a specific indicator of the condition.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Kehr's sign is a valuable clinical indicator of splenic rupture, which is a medical emergency requiring prompt surgical intervention. In patients with left upper quadrant abdominal pain, the presence of referred pain to the left shoulder should raise suspicion for splenic rupture.
**Correct Answer: A. Kehr's sign is referred pain to the left shoulder due to splenic rupture.**