Shifting dullness
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In medicine, shifting dullness refers to a sign, elicited on physical examination, for ascites. If, on percussion, the region of dullness (denoting ascites) shifts when the patient is turned from supine position to side-lying, they probably have fluid in the abdomen. If the borders between tympanic and dullness remain the same, the person probably does not have ascites, or has less than 2 litres of fluid present. Shifting dullness is usually present if the volume of ascitic fluid is greater than 1500 ml.
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