Flank ecchymosis should raise concern for Grey Turner’s sign and indicates underlying retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal hemorrhage. The discoloration results from blood tracking through fascial planes into the subcutaneous tissues. Although often associated with necrotizing pancreatitis, Grey Turner’s sign can be associated with other diseases including inflammatory, vascular, traumatic, and neoplastic processes. In this case, the spontaneous bleed was attributed to coagulopathy from the patient’s underlying cirrhosis.
Comment
Flank ecchymosis should raise concern for Grey Turner’s sign and indicates underlying retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal hemorrhage. The discoloration results from blood tracking through fascial planes into the subcutaneous tissues. Although often associated with necrotizing pancreatitis, Grey Turner’s sign can be associated with other diseases including inflammatory, vascular, traumatic, and neoplastic processes. In this case, the spontaneous bleed was attributed to coagulopathy from the patient’s underlying cirrhosis.