What it means
A bruise-like color on one or both flanks, caused by blood seeping from the space behind the abdominal organs (the retroperitoneum). It is seen with severe acute pancreatitis and other bleeding inside the body, and usually takes a day or more to show. It is named after George Grey Turner, the British surgeon who described it in 1920. Bruising around the navel is the related Cullen signKUL-en SINEBluish or purplish bruising of the skin around the navel.Full entry .
For the nurse
Report it right away and watch for signs of shock, such as a fast pulse, falling blood pressure and decreasing urine output.
At a glance
| Also written | Grey Turner's sign, Grey-Turner sign, Grey Turner’s sign |
|---|
Related terms
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
Cullen sign
Bluish or purplish bruising of the skin around the navel.