Respiratory Examination (OSCE Guide)

Ideally, the patient should be examined in the sitting position. Position the patient before you begin your “Examination Proper”. Examination of respiratory system consists of all 4 conventional steps – namely inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation preceded by relevant general examination.

But these 4 steps can (should) be done both anteriorly and posteriorly. Usually, the examiner will guide you at the exam from which side you may examine the patient due to time limitation. Most of the physical signs are easily detected when the examination is done from posterior aspect. Hence, unless the examiner specifically asked, always begin your examination from the posterior aspect and keep in mind to examine the patient anteriorly if the time permits.

Suspect an upper lobe pathology if an examiner commands you “You may examine anteriorly!”, he might be giving you a clue to the diagnosis.

Upper lobe pathologies are easier to detect when the patient is examined anteriorly. 

EXAMINATION PROPER

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM EXAMINATION – INSPECTION

1. CHEST DEFORMITIES

Carefully look for the shape of the chest and chest deformities. For this you have to inspect the patient from both anteriorly and posteriorly. Remember the normal chest is elliptical and bilaterally symmetrical in shape.

• Barrel Chest – Seen in COPD
• Harrison’s Sulcus – seen in Chronic Asthma
• Pectus Carinatum
• Pectus Excavatum
• Scoliosis/ Kyphosis/ Kyphoscoliosis

2. SURGICAL SCARS

Look for surgical scars. Never miss it! If you detect the lobectomy or pneumonectomy scar, you have your case there.

3. RESPIRATORY PATTERN

Usual respiratory pattern in adults is thoracic. Abdominal type of breathing is seen in children. But when respiratory muscles are weak, adults may show predominant abdominal type of respiration.

4. RESPIRATORY RATE

Approximately try to count the respiratory rate. You will get it with experience. You are not going to count this for one minute, Not in your exam! The normal respiratory rate in an adult is 12-20 breaths per minute.

5. CHEST WALL MOVEMENTS

You can get an idea of chest wall movement (Chest expansion) in inspection. Look whether there is a reduction in chest movements in one side or both sides asking the patient to take a deep breath in and out. You can confirm your findings at the next step, “Palpation”.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM EXAMINATION – PALPATION

1. CHEST EXPANSION

Chest expansion should be assessed in all three zones (Apex, Upper, Lower) of thorax both posteriorly (and anteriorly Ideally).

Have the patient seated erect with arms by the side. Stand directly behind the patient. First, gently grab the lower hemithorax on either side of the chest (with an equal amount of pressure) and bring your thumbs close together until they approximate each other in the midline. Have the patient slowly take a deep breath and expire. Assess the “Degree” of chest expansion & “Symmetry” of movement of each hemithorax simultaneously. Then repeat the technique over the upper chest and the apex.

Then if the time permits, repeat the whole process anteriorly, at least the apex. Expansion of the apex of the chest best felt anteriorly!

What is the Normal Chest Expansion?

Normal Chest Expansion is 2-5 inches and chest wall should move symmetrically. That is the distance between the two thumbs should be at least 5 cm and both thumbs should be equal distance apart from the midline.

What are Abnormal Findings?

• Reduced Chest Expansion (if the distance between the two thumbs less than 5 cm)
• Asymmetrical Chest Expansion (if one thumb remains close to the midline)

Half the times, your examination may be normal up to this point of the examination. But If you find unilateral reduction in chest expansion, then you know the abnormal side and you can significantly narrow down your possible diagnosis ie. Pleural effusion, Lung collapse, Pneumothorax, Unilateral Lung Fibrosis!

You can further narrow down the possibilities by next step of palpation (Tracheal deviation & Mediastinal Shift) which is explained below.

2. TRACHEAL DEVIATION

Have the patient seated and position yourself directly in front of the patient and look for any deviation of the trachea. Keep your index and ring fingers of the right hand on the sternal heads of each sternocleidomastoid and then gently palpate the trachea above downwards with your middle finger along tracheal rings feeling its direction.

Then compare the empty space on both sides of the trachea. If the empty space is more on one side, it means the trachea is deviated to the opposite side. Normally there is a slight deviation of the trachea to the right side.

What are Abnormal Findings?

• Trachea is shifted towards the side of pathology in Lung collapse, Lung Fibrosis.
• Trachea is shifted away from the side of the pathology in Pleural effusion, Pneumothorax.
• Trachea is not deviated in Lung consolidation.

Trail’s Sign – It is the prominence of clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle of the side in which trachea is deviated.

Try to identify tracheal deviation before you even touch it!

3. APEX BEAT

Look for deviation of the apex beat indicative of a “mediastinal shift” when there is a tracheal deviation.

4. VOCAL FREMITUS

It is the palpation of the vibrations transmitted on to the chest wall (from larynx through the lungs).
To look for vocal fremitus palpate each side of the chest wall using the ulnar border of your hand at least at three levels (Upper, Middle, Lower zones).

Ask the patient to say “ninety-nine” and feel the vibrations on the chest wall. Always compare both sides. Ideally, the sequence should be repeated anteriorly if the time permits.

What are Abnormal Findings?

• Vocal Fremitus is increased in Lung consolidation (Pneumonia, Pulmonary infarct) and Lung Fibrosis.
• Vocal Fremitus is decreased in Pleural effusion, COPD, Chronic Asthma, Pneumothorax and thick pleura.

You can confirm your findings of vocal fremitus at the auscultation when you do “Vocal Resonance”.

Vocal Resonance is the Better of the Two

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM EXAMINATION – PERCUSSION

1. PERCUSSION TECHNIQUE

Have the patient seated and approach from behind. Keep your middle finger of the left hand firmly over the intercostal spaces parallel to the ribs, with other four fingers lifted above, not touching the thoracic wall.

Then percuss (strike) the centre of the middle phalanx of the middle finger perpendicularly. Striking movement should be at the wrist joint, not the elbow. Striking finger should be taken off immediately to prevent dampening of the percussion note. Clavicles are percussed directly on the bone.

Always percuss bilaterally, comparing one side with the other. Always percuss from resonant area to dull (above downwards). Remember to percuss all three zones of bilateral chest wall, and ideally the whole process should be repeated anteriorly if time permits.

“Striking a surface over an air-filled cavity will produce a resonant sound, whereas striking a surface over a fluid / tissue filled cavity will produce a dull sound” That’s it!

The Physcis Behind the Percussion

2. PERCUSSION NOTES

• Hyper-resonant – Pneumothorax
• Resonant – Normal Lung
• Dull – Consolidation, Lung Fibrosis
• Stony Dull – Pleural Effusion

3. TIDAL PERCUSSION

This is done to “exclude elevated hemidiaphragm causing basal dullness” from other causes like Lung Fibrosis, Basal Pneumonia, Lung Collapse or even Pleural effusion.

Percuss along the midclavicular line from the 2nd intercostal space downwards. Normally upper level of the liver dullness is met at 5th intercostal space in right side. If you encounter basal dullness, ask the patient to take a deep breath in, and percuss again. If the percussion note becomes resonant (being dull previously), it is due to elevated hemidiaphragm.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM EXAMINATION – AUSCULTATION

1. HOW TO AUSCULTATE?

Usually with the diaphragm of the stethoscope firmly placed over the chest wall. Examine all three zones, apices in both lung fields. Make sure the patient is breathing in and out (preferably through the mouth). Auscultate a bit laterally (avoid the medial 3cm from midline).

2. WHAT TO AUSCULTATE?

Carefully try to assess one by one, concentrate only on the specific component you are looking for.

1. Vocal Resonance
2. Breath sounds
   • Character
   • Intensity
3. Added Sounds
   • Crepitations – Fine or Coarse, Phase of respiration (Biphasic, Early- Inspiratory, End Inspiratory etc)
   • Ronchi
   • Pleural rub
   • Stridor (rare in the exam!)
4. Pulmonary component of second heart sound (P2)

3. VOCAL RESONANCE

Keep the diaphragm of your stethoscope on chest wall and ask the patient to say “ninety nine”. Repeat this process in all three lung zones bilaterally, both anteriorly and posteriorly. The findings and interpretations are similar to vocal fremitus, but this is more sensitive. (Hence some examiners might ask you to skip Vocal Fremitus in percussion).

4. BREATH SOUNDS & ADDED SOUNDS

What is Normal?

Normal breath sounds are low pitch vesicular in nature. There should be no added sounds. P2 should be of normal intensity.

What is Abnormal?

1. Breath Sounds – Abnormal Character

• Bronchial Breathing – High pitched sound and inspiration & expiration duration are almost of the same duration. Three types of bronchial breathing are,
  • Tubular Bronchial Breathing – (Pneumonic Consolidation)
  • Cavernous Bronchial Breathing – (Lung Cavity)
  • Amphoric Bronchial Breathing – (Bronchopulmonary Fistula)

Whishpering Pectoriloquy – Useful techninque to confirm Lung Consolidation if you heard a patch of bronchial breathing.

You can confirm or exclude the presence of consolidation on dull patches you found during the Percussion

2. Breath Sounds – Abnormal Intensity

• Absent Breath sounds – Pleural Effusion, Pneumothorax, Lung Collapse
• Reduced Intensity – COPD, Asthma, Pleural Thickening

3. Crepitations (Crackles) – Added Sounds

• Non-musical explosive interrupted sounds. Results from the collapse of peripheral airways on expiration.
• Seen in Pulmonary Oedema, Bronchiectasis, Interstitial Lung Disease. It can be Fine or Corse in nature.
• It can be Inspiratory (Early inspiratory, Mid inspiratory, End inspiratory), Expiratory or Biphasic in timing.

4. Ronchi – Added Sounds

• Continous low picthed musical sounds. Occurs due to small airway obstruction.
• Seen in Asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia.
• It can be further subdivided to Monophonic & Polyphonic ronchi.

5. Pleural Rub – Added Sounds

• Creaking or grating sounds. Occurs due to frictional resistance between two layers of inflamed pleura

If you are not sure, ask the patient to cough; crepitations & ronchi may disappear, but not the pleural rub!

Confirming a Pleural Rub

5. SECOND HEART SOUND (P2)

Most of the time students do miss this! Always exclude pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic lung disease. To do this you just need to put your stethoscope over the pulmonary area and listen whether the second heart sound is louder or not. Be smart! Show the examiner that you are looking for possible complications of lung pathology.

If the second heart sound is loud, you may further extend your examination to look for signs of right heart failure to impress the examiner. If so, look for parasternal heave and tender hepatomegaly if time permits.

SAMPLE PRESENTATION – RESPIRATORY EXAMINATION

This average build patient is not breathless at rest. He is not plethoric or cyanosed and he has no finger clubbing, tar stains or lymphadenopathy. There is no ankle oedema.

There are no chest deformities or surgical scars. Chest expansion is normal bilaterally in all three zones. Trachea is not deviated and percussion note is resonant throughout both lung fields. Vocal fremitus and vocal resonance are normal. The breath sounds were heard in normal intensity and there were no added sounds over both lung fields. The pulmonary component of the second heart is not loud.

So, examination of the respiratory system is unremarkable in this patient.

Mitral Stenosis (OSCE Guide)

Mitral stenosis (MS) is a notoriously tricky case at the exam where most of the candidates failing to diagnose it because of the hardly audible low-pitched murmur needing the patient to be auscultated in the left lateral position. So, try to diagnose it even before you auscultate the patient!

Always suspect MS if the patient has irregularly irregular pulse indicative of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although MS patients are usually in AF, every AF is not having MS, and every MS patient is not in AF.

Mitral Valvotomy was carried out via a left lateral thoracotomy incision in the past. Although it is history now, there may be a handful of (elderly) patients who had undergone mitral valvotomy and having mitral restenosis with time. Suspect Before Auscultation!

• Malar Flush
• Irregularly Irregular Pulse

The most important finding would be the lateral thoracotomy scar if your clinical diagnosis is MS. If the scar is present you have to present the case as “Mitral Restenosis” instead of “Mitral Stenosis”.

MITRAL STENOSIS – EXAMINATION

GENERAL EXAMINATION

GENERAL EXAMINATION

• Malar Flush – Indicate low cardiac output (Complication)
• Running Fever – Suspect Infective Endocarditis (Complication)
• Stigmata of IE – Clubbing, Splinter Hemorrhages, Osler’s Nodes, Janeway Lesions (Complication)
• Joint Swelling – Rheumatic Fever (Aetiology)
• Erythema Marginatum – Rheumatic Fever (Aetiology)
• Bilateral Pitting Ankle Oedema – RHF (Complication)
• Evidence of Hemiparesis – Thromboembolism (Complication)

PULSE

• Irregularly Irregular – Underlying Atrial Fibrillation (Complication)
• Volume – Low volume in severe MS (Severity Marker)
• Rate – may vary (Slow or Fast AF)

BLOOD PRESSURE

• Narrow Pulse Pressure (PP) in Sever MS due to low cardiac output (Severity Marker).

JUGULAR VENOUS PRESSURE (JVP)

Elevated JVP – Indicative of Pulmonary Hypertension and RHF (Complication).
If JVP elevated, you should carefully look for other signs of PHTN & RHF later on your examination & mention them in your presentation.

PRECORDIAL EXAMINATION

INSPECTION

• Midline Sternotomy Scars (Previous Mitral Valve replacement)
• Mitral Valvotomy Scars in the lateral chest wall (Previous Mitral Valvotomy)

PALPATION

• Tapping Apex – (Palpable First heart sound) – Underlying Loud S1 (Mobile & pliable Mitral valve leaflets)
• Parasternal Heave – RVH due to RV pressure overload (Complication)
• Diastolic Thrill at Apex – Underlying loud diastolic murmur (For Diagnosis)
• Palpable Second heart Sound (P2) – Pulmonary HTN (Complication)

AUSCULTATION

• Loud S1 – Mobile & pliable Mitral valve leaflets.
• Or else Soft S1? – Calcified & Immobile Mitral valve leaflets. (Not Necessarily a Complication)
• Loud P2 – Pulmonary Hypertension (Complication)
• Opening Snap – Mobile & pliable Mitral valve leaflets (Refer FAQs).
• Rumbling Type, Low pitched, Mid-diastolic Murmur at Mitral area – Best heard with the Bell in left lateral position. Presystolic accentuation of the murmur is heard if the patient is in sinus rhythm.
• Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation – You should actively look for this murmur if you found any features to suggest the patient is having PHTN or RHF (e.g. Elevated JVP, Parasternal heave, Loud p2). There will be a “systolic murmur at Tricuspid area which is louder in inspiration”. This is due to increased resistance in pulmonary vasculature secondary to MS, causing backflow via the tricuspid valve (Severity Marker).
• Graham-Steel Murmur – This is also an additional murmur hear in severe MS due to increased pulmonary vasculature resistance causing backflow via Pulmonary valve in diastole. It is, in fact, the “Pulmonary Regurgitation murmur heard”. There will be an early diastolic murmur at the pulmonary area (Severity Marker).

EXTENDED EXAMINATION

• Lung Bases – Bibasal fine crepitations would indicate left heart failure secondary to MS. But these are rarely heard if the patient is on diuretics. (Complication)
• Tender Hepatomegaly – Would indicate RHF following PHTN secondary to MS (Complication)

MITRAL STENOSIS – CASE PRESENTATION 01

This patient is not having peripheral stigmata of infective endocarditis. There is no malar flush or ankle edema. The pulse irregularly irregular, the volume is normal and normal in character. His BP is (Valve) & JVP is not elevated.

On precordial examination, there are no surgical scars suggestive of previous valve replacement or mitral valvotomy. The apex beat is undisplaced & tapping in character. P2 is not palpable and there are no thrills or parasternal heave. The first heart sound is loud whereas the pulmonary component of the second heart sound is of normal intensity. There is an opening snap in early diastole followed by a grade 2 mid-diastolic rumbling type murmur best heard at the apex which increases in intensity with expiration while patient is in left lateral position. Bilateral lung bases are clear & there is no tender hepatomegaly.

MITRAL STENOSIS – CASE PRESENTATION 02

This patient is not having peripheral stigmata of infective endocarditis. There is malar flush and ankle oedema. The pulse irregularly irregular, volume is low and normal in character. His BP is 110/90 mmHg & JVP is elevated.

On precordial examination, there is a lateral thoracotomy scar. The apex beat is undisplaced & tapping in character. P2 is palpable and there is a parasternal heave, but no diastolic thrills palpable. The first heart sound is loud as well as the pulmonary component of the second heart sound. There is grade 2 mid-diastolic rumbling type murmur best heard at the apex which increases in intensity with expiration while the patient is in the left lateral position. Opening snap is not heard. In addition, there is a pansystolic murmur best heard at LLSB (tricuspid area) and an early diastolic murmur best heard at the Pulmonary area, both are louder in inspiration. There are fine crepitations on both lung fields & tender hepatomegaly.

So, this patient has undergone mitral valvotomy in the past and now having severe Mitral restenosis and associated Atrial Fibrillation with evidence of Pulmonary Hypertension leading to congestive cardiac failure. There is functional tricuspid regurgitation & Graham-Steel murmur of Pulmonary regurgitation due to the pressure overload secondary to severe PHTN. The mitral valve leaflets are clinically immobile & calcified.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Thyroid Examination (OSCE Guide)

Thyroid examination or the examination of a goiter commonly encountered at Surgical OSCE stations.

THYROID EXAMINATION

Firstly, greet the patient and take consent. Make sure you have enough space behind the patient’s chair before proceeding with the examination.

Examine from front

1. Inspect – Offer a glass of water and ask to swallow on command & look for the lump moving upwards with deglutition. Observe from the side.
2. Only if the lump is small and in the midline, ask the patient to put the tongue out while stabilizing the jaw and look for the lump moving upwards.
3. Look for scars (previous lobectomy scar) and dilated neck veins.
4. Only if the lump is a large one, elicit Pemberton’s sign.

Then go to back of the patient,

1. Palpate the thyroid gland from behind. Examine using one hand at a time while stabilizing the gland from the other. Feel for the consistency and nodularity of the gland.
2. Examine for cervical lymphadenopathy.

After that, come back to front of the patient and look for,

1. Tracheal deviation – Feel along the trachea downwards.
2. Retrosternal extension – Check whether you can feel the lower border of the gland while the patient is asked to swallow. If cannot percuss to elicit retrosternal dullness.
3. Displaced carotid pulsation – Check both carotid pulses, one at a time.
4. Thyroid bruit – Auscultate over the right upper lobe.

Finally, examine for eye signs and hands to complete the thyroid examination

1. Eye Signs – Look for Exophthalmos (See from behind), Lid retraction, Lid lag, and Ophthalmoplegia.
2. Hand signs – Look for sweaty hands, tachycardia (radial pulse), fine tremors.

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THYROID EXAMINATION – PRESENTATION

This patient is having a lump in the anteroinferior aspect of the neck which moves up with deglutition. There are no visible surgical scars in the neck or dilated neck veins and Pemberton’s sign is negative.

The lump is firm in consistency and its surface is nodular with a prominent nodule in the right upper lobe. There is no cervical lymphadenopathy. Its lower border can be felt, trachea is deviated to the left side and the right carotid pulse is deviated posterolaterally. There is no bruit. She is clinically euthyroid and there are no thyroid eye signs.

So, my probable diagnosis is a clinically euthyroid longstanding multinodular goiter (MNG) without retrosternal extension. I would like to investigate her with a thyroid profile, USS neck and FNAC of the prominent nodule to decide on further management

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ulnar Nerve Palsy (OSCE Guide)

The examination of hand for neuropathies is commonly encountered at OSCE stations. Ulnar Claw-hand is a very characteristic finding in Ulnar nerve palsy.

Firstly, introduce yourself and get consent before you proceed to examine the patient.

ULNAR NERVE PALSY – EXAMINATION

Given below is a targeted examination for Ulnar nerve palsy. But remember to examine other nerves (Median & Radial) to exclude multiple nerve involvement.

1. Ask the patient to spread out the hands for you and try to spot diagnose the “Ulnar claw hand” (Clawing of the medial two fingers of the hand).
2. Inspect carefully both the palmar and dorsal aspect of the hands and look for,
   • Wasting of hypothenar eminence (compare with the other side).
   • Dorsal guttering (due to wasted Interossei muscles) – Palpate the 1st finger web where the wasting is often obvious.
3. Examine the functions of the muscles supplied by the Ulnar nerve.
   • Palmar Interossei – Ask the patient hold a card between two fingers while you attempt to pull it away using the same two fingers.
   • Dorsal Interossei – Ask the patient to keep the hand on a flat surface and spread out the fingers against resistance.
   • Adductor Pollicis – Ask the patient hold a paper between the thumb and the radial aspect of the index fingers while you attempting to pull it away. Flexion of the terminal phalanx of the thumb to hold the paper indicates a positive Froment’s sign.
4. Examine the sensory distribution.
   • High lesions – There is an area of sensory loss over both palmar & dorsal aspects of the medial side of the hand and medial one and half fingers.
   • Low lesions – There is an area of sensory loss only over the palmar aspect of the medial side of the hand and medial one and half fingers.
5. Try to identify a probable aetiology.
   • Look for depigmented anaesthetic patches and Ulnar nerve thickening at the elbow (Leprosy).
   • Look for scars on the forearm (trauma).
6. Offer to assess the patient’s quality of life.

PRESENTATION

There is marked clawing of the ring and little fingers of the right hand and there is wasting of hypothenar eminence with dorsal guttering, but the thenar eminence is not affected. The actions of palmar and dorsal interossei are impaired and Froment’s sign is positive.

The opposition of the thumb and finger extension is intact. There is an area of sensory loss over the palmar aspect of the medial side of the hand and medial one and half fingers. There is no hypopigmented patches or ulnar nerve thickening and there are no visible scars on the forearm.

So my tentative diagnosis is right-sided Ulnar nerve palsy, probably a lower lesion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (OSCE Guide)

The examination of hand for neuropathies is commonly encountered at OSCE stations. One of the most common scenarios would be carpal tunnel syndrome.

Firstly, introduce yourself and get consent before you proceed to examine the patient.

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME – EXAMINATION

Usually, the command is to examine the hands of the patient, but sometimes you might be given a clue like “This lady presented with tingling sensation in her hands”. The disease is often bilateral.

1. Ask the patient to spread out the hands for you.
2. Look for,
   • Wasting of thenar muscles.
   • Scar of a previous carpal tunnel decompression surgery.
3. Examine the functions of the muscles supplied by the Median nerve.
   • Abductor Pollicis Brevis – Ask the patient to place the dorsum of the hand on a flat surface and lift the thumb towards the ceiling against resistance (Pen touch test).
   • b. Opponens Pollicis – This muscle is usually not tested as it may also be supplied by the ulnar nerve ( an anatomical variation).
4. Examine the sensory distribution.
   • There is an area of sensory loss over the palmar aspect of the lateral three and a half fingers.
   • However, the sensation over the thenar eminence is preserved.
5. Special Signs to elicit,
   • Tinel’s Test – Tap over the flexor aspect of the wrist over the midline. If the patient feels a tingling sensation over the distribution of the median nerve, the test is positive.
   • Phalen’s Test – Ask the patient to flex the wrists maximally and keep for one minute. If the patient feels pain in the hands, the test is considered positive.
6. Try to identify a probable aetiology.
   • Obesity.
   • Hypothyroidism – Goiter? Facial puffiness? Loss of lateral third of eyebrows?
   • Rheumatoid arthritis – Shawn neck deformity? Boutnier’s deformity? Z thumb?
7. Offer assessment of the patient’s quality of life (QOL).
   • Nocturnal and early morning worsening of symptoms.
   • Effects on occupation or activities of daily living (eg: Washing clothes).

PRESENTATION

This patient who presented with tingling sensation of hands has bilateral thenar muscle wasting but there is no wasting of hypothenar eminence or dorsal guttering. There are no visible surgical scars, suggestive of previous carpal tunnel decompression surgery. Her opposition of the thumbs is weak and the pen touch test is positive, but there is no weakness in finger adduction or extension. There is an area of sensory loss over the palmar aspect of the lateral three and a half fingers and no other areas of sensory loss. Tinel’s test and Phalen’s test are positive. So my tentative diagnosis is bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and I would like to assess her functional disability and probable aetiology.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Inguinal Hernia (OSCE Guide)

Examination of an inguinal hernia is a vital part of surgical examination methods. It is one of the most basics skills that every medical student and doctor should be aware of.

More importantly, differentiating between a femoral and inguinal hernia plays a major role here.

Firstly, introduce yourself and get consent before you proceed to examine the patient.

INGUINAL HERNIA EXAMINATION

You will be asked to examine the groin area of a patient who is lying supine, but always remember to examine the patient in the erect position as well, at some point in your examination.

1. Get the Consent, cover the area and expose adequately.
2. Look carefully for surgical scars in the groin (Recurrent hernia?).
3. See the shape of the lump in the groin. A direct inguinal hernia is usually globular in shape and an indirect one may be sausage-shaped (inguinoscrotal swellings).
4. Ask the patient to cough,
   • To elicit expansile cough impulse.
   • Inorder to visualize a hernia that cannot be seen.
   • To see the full extent of an already visible hernia.
5. ONLY IF the hernia still cannot be seen, ask the patient where the lump is (It may be a scrotal swelling!!) and ask him to stand up at this point & look for a bulge appearing on the groin area on coughing (Very rare to give invisible ones in an exam setting).
6. Once the hernia is visible, demonstrate the palpable expansile cough impulse.
7. ONLY IF there is no past surgical scar indicating a previous repair, differentiate whether it is direct or indirect hernia.
   • Ask the patient himself to reduce the hernia fully for you.
   • If the patient is unable to do so, ask the examiner whether you may try to reduce it (DO NOT try to reduce without the consent of the examiner)
   • ONLY IF the hernia is reduced,
     1. Locate the deep inguinal ring (2methods can be used).
        • 1 cm above the femoral pulse (Easy way).
        • 1 cm above the mid inguinal point (midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and pubic tubercle).
     2. Ask to cough while you are applying firm pressure on deep inguinal ring with your index finger.
     3. If the lump can be controlled by digital pressure over the deep ring, it is an “Indirect inguinal hernia”, if not it is a “Direct inguinal hernia”.
8. Examine the external genitalia to exclude phimosis and coexisting scrotal lump which is very common.
9. If the patient was supine throughout your examination, ask him to stand up before you finish and look for,
   • A coexisting small hernia on the other groin.
   • A coexisting varicocele.

PRESENTATION

This patient has got a globular shaped lump in the right groin region. It has visible and expansile cough impulse. The hernia can be completely reduced and cannot be controlled by applying firm pressure over the deep inguinal ring. He has got no phimosis and there are no coexisting scrotal lumps. The contralateral groin is normal. So my probable diagnosis is uncomplicated right-sided direct inguinal hernia and I would like to offer him inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Examination of a Lump (OSCE Guide)

Examination of a lump is a component in almost every surgical clinical examination. Sometimes you may be asked to spot diagnose a lump with just inspection. Given below is a rough guide to the examination of a lump.

LUMP EXAMINATION

Inspection
1. Site, Size, and Shape (SSS).
2. The skin overlying the lump (Scars, Signs of Inflammation, Punctum).

Palpation
1. Surface (Smooth/ Irregular).
2. Edge (Well or poorly defined).
3. Tissue Plane/ Mobility /Fixity – Skin attachment and attachment to underlying structures.
4. Consistency (Soft, Firm or Hard).
5. Cross Fluctuation (Only if soft to firm).
6. Transillumination (Only if fluctuant).
7. Temperature and Tenderness.
8. Reducibility.
9. Pulsatility.
10. Palpable lymph nodes.

PRESENTATION

There is a hemispherical shaped lump, over the left lateral aspect of the neck, measuring 5cm x 5cm in size. The overlying skin looks normal. Its surface is smooth and the edge is well defined. It is mobile and not attached to the skin or the underlying structures. It is soft in consistency, fluctuant and transilluminant. It is not reducible or pulsatile and there is no associated lymphadenopathy.

Tip: If you are confident enough, make sure that you give a rational presentation, excluding the possibilities one by one for more marks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS