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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Carnett's test

Introduction

Carnett's test for abdominal wall tenderness[1].
Carnett’s test for abdominal wall tenderness[1].

In the evaluation of abdominal pain, a positive Carnett’s test may indicate that the abdominal wall is the source of pain.[1] [2]

In an uncontrolled case series of 1116 patients with Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES), 87% had a positive Carnett’s test[3].

A study of acute pain in the emergency department found no benefit from assessing the Carnett’s sign[4].

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Takada T, Ikusaka M, Ohira Y, Noda K, Tsukamoto T (2011). “Diagnostic usefulness of Carnett’s test in psychogenic abdominal pain”. Intern Med. 50 (3): 213–7. PMID 21297322.
  2. ↑ Thomson WH, Dawes RF, Carter SS (1991). “Abdominal wall tenderness: a useful sign in chronic abdominal pain”. Br J Surg. 78 (2): 223–5. PMID 1826626.
  3. ↑ Mol FMU, Maatman RC, De Joode LEGH, Van Eerten P, Scheltinga MR, Roumen R (2021). “Characteristics of 1116 Consecutive Patients Diagnosed With Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES)”. Ann Surg. 273 (2): 373–378. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000003224. PMID 30817351.
  4. ↑ Darracq MA (2020). “Clinical Utility of Carnett and closed eye sign in emergency department”. Am J Emerg Med. 38 (12): 2759.e1–2759.e4. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.05.077. PMID 32507573 Check |pmid= value (help).