Focal neurological examination
Visual field deficits. Reproduced from Bulters D, Shenouda E. Assessment of neurological function. Surgery (Oxford) 2007; 25: 501–4, with permission from Elsevier. What is the role of ophthalmoscopy in patients…
Arterial examination of the upper limbs
How is Allen’s test interpreted? Allen’s test: determining whether the hand can be perfused by a single artery. Rationale: Determines whether the hand can be perfused from the ulnar artery…
Arterial examination of the lower limbs
Arterial anatomy of the lower limb. What are the anatomical landmarks of the peripheral pulses in the lower limbs? Femoral pulse: just inferior to the midinguinal point (halfway between anterior…
Examination of the hip
Normal hip abductors. Positive Trendelenburg’s test: weakness of hip abductors on the left side. Rationale: A Trendelenburg’s test (orthopaedic) identifies weakness of the abductors of the hip. Technique: The patient…
Chest x-ray
Chest radiograph showing right central venous line (solid white arrow) and ET tube (hollow white arrow) in correct positions. A left central line, which only reaches the brachiocephalic vein, requires…
Oral and maxillofacial examination
1. Palpation of supraorbital ridge and frontal bone. 2. Palpation of infraorbital and lateral orbital ridges. 3. Palpation of zygomatic arch. 4. Palpation of mandibular ramus and angle. 5. Palpation…
Examination of the knee
Rationale: Excessive lateral translation of the patella, compared to the contralateral side, may suggest previous dislocation and injury to the medial patellofemoral ligament and retinaculum. Technique: The patient is supine…
Examination of the thorax and lungs
Left posterolateral thoracotomy. Right-sided chest drain scar in the 5th intercostal space, anterior to the mid-axillary line. Posterolateral thoracotomy (5th intercostal space) to access the lungs and pleura Anterolateral thoracotomy…
Global neurological examination
Examination notes How is an apnoea test performed? Preoxygenate with 100% O2. Disconnect the ventilator (high-flow O2 may be administered through a catheter). Serial ABGs should be performed. A pCO2…
Knee x-ray
AP and HBL x-rays of the knee show a lipohaemarthrosis (arrow) due to displaced vertical lateral tibial plateau fracture (curved arrow). AP x-ray of the right knee shows anterior cruciate…
