What does a positive Murphy's sign indicate?

A positive Murphy's sign is a clinical indication of cholecystitis, which is the inflammation of the gallbladder. When a healthcare provider performs this test, they ask the patient to take a deep breath while palpating the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. If the patient experiences sharp pain during inhalation, it suggests that the inflamed gallbladder is coming into contact with the examiner's hand, confirming the presence of cholecystitis.

Understanding the context of this sign is crucial for diagnosis in emergency medicine and gastroenterology. Although other conditions may present with abdominal pain, a positive Murphy's sign specifically points toward issues related to the gallbladder, such as cholecystitis, making it a key diagnostic tool for differentiating this condition from others like appendicitis or pancreatitis, which have different clinical implications and management strategies.