Grey Turner's sign describes discoloration over the flanks indicating?

• A. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage
• B. Cullen's sign
• C. Peritoneal sign
• D. Rovsing sign

Answer: (A)

Grey Turner's sign indicates retroperitoneal hemorrhage. When bleeding occurs in the retroperitoneal space, blood can track to the flank area, producing bruising over the sides of the abdomen and lower back. This finding is classically seen with pancreatitis or other retroperitoneal bleeds, and it appears later as the blood migrates through tissue planes. By contrast, Cullen's sign is bruising around the umbilicus from intraperitoneal bleeding, a peritoneal sign refers to tenderness or rigidity from irritation of the peritoneum, and Rovsing sign is a test point for appendicitis. So the flank discoloration points to retroperitoneal hemorrhage.