Gastrointestinal Eponymic Signs: Bedside Approach to the Physical Examination

This book provides a novel method to teach eponymically named
physical signs of the alimentary tract and intrabdominal organs. The
focus is on the historical aspect of the named signs, how to perform the
sign described by the author, and the pathophysiologic mechanisms
involved in eliciting a positive test. The goal is to guide the reader
to appreciate how these bedside signs provide a more profound
understanding of the mechanism of disease. By doing so, they become more
than simply rote memorization but an appreciation of how a direct
hands-on assessment involving observing, engaging, listening, and
touching the patient assists in diagnosis. Hence, these techniques
provided the additional benefit of better connecting the practitioner to
the patients and maintaining the art of medicine, which is rapidly
losing its foothold within the medical community.

This
book will serve as a teaching tool for learners, teachers, and
practicing physicians to preserve the art of the physical examination
using a form of a case-based teaching and learning style approach.
Illustrations throughout the text provide a visual representation of how
to perform the sign. The authors believe this method of teaching and
learning is more meaningful to the student in that they will be able to
associate the name with the person\'s historical features, the sign, and
its pathophysiologic mechanism(s).

Gastrointestinal Eponymic Signs is
a must-have resource for medical students, residents, fellows, teaching
faculty, and any practicing physician seeking to understand how
physical examination signs assist in diagnosis.