Fothergill's sign

A localized abdominal mass arising within the abdominal wall rather than the intra-abdominal cavity. It remains palpable, fixed in position, and does not cross the midline during both relaxation and contraction of the rectus abdominis muscles, indicating an abdominal wall origin.

Causes

• Rectus sheath hematoma

• Abdominal wall tumors

• Abdominal wall hernias (less typical if fixed and unchanged with muscle contraction)

• Inflammatory or infectious lesions of the abdominal wall