Question

The presence of a bluish discoloration around the umbilicus, which is an indication of intra-abdominal bleeding is known as ____________

Answer 1

Cullen's sign

Cullen's sign is the appearance of hemorrhagic (bleeding) patches under the skin around the umbilicus. This patches are usually either bluish or blue black in color.

Cullen's sign can be as a result of intra-abdominal bleeding due to the following medical conditions:

i) Intra-abdominal bleeding due to ruptured ectopic pregnancy

ii) Intra-abdomminal bleeding due to acute pancreatitis

iii) Intraabdominal bleeding due to blunt abdominal trauma

iv) Intra-abdominal bleeding due aortic rapture

Answer 2

Cullen's sign is the correct answer.

These discolorations are a result of liberated pancreatic enzymes causing the diffusion of fat necrosis and inflammation with retroperitoneal or intraabdominal bleeding; the diffusion occurs from the retroperitoneum to the umbilicus through the round ligament for Cullen's sign and from the retroperitoneum.