Which sign indicates acute cholecystitis?

Acute cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, is often indicated by Murphy's sign. This sign is tested by having the patient take a deep breath while the examiner palpates the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. A positive Murphy's sign occurs when the patient experiences pain or tenderness upon inhalation, suggesting the gallbladder is inflamed and pressing against the examiner's hand.

The relevance of Murphy's sign lies in its specificity for conditions affecting the gallbladder, especially cholecystitis. While the other signs mentioned, such as McBurney's, psoas, and obturator signs, are associated with appendicitis and other conditions, they do not specifically indicate issues with the gallbladder or biliary system. This specificity makes Murphy's sign a critical part of the physical examination in patients suspected of having acute cholecystitis.