What is Kehr sign indicative of?

Kehr sign is indicative of splenic rupture, and it is characterized by referred pain in the left shoulder. This occurs due to irritation of the phrenic nerve, which innervates the diaphragm and shares sensory pathways with the shoulder area. When the spleen ruptures, blood can accumulate in the peritoneal cavity, leading to irritation and stimulation of the phrenic nerve. As a result, the person may experience pain that radiates from the left upper quadrant of the abdomen to the left shoulder. Understanding this sign is crucial for clinicians, as it serves as an important diagnostic clue in cases of trauma where splenic injury is suspected.

In contrast, other conditions listed do not usually cause referred pain in the shoulder in this manner, thus distinguishing the significance of the Kehr sign specifically to splenic rupture.