Answer 1 Flank dullness. Dullness to percussion of the flanks is the most sensitive maneuver for the detection of ascites (sensitivity = 0.94), but its specificity is low (specificity = 0.56).1 1 Cattau EL Jr, Benjamin SB, Knuff TE, Castell DO. The accuracy of the physical examination in the diagnosis of suspected ascites. JAMA 1982;247:1165. Click here to return to the questions

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