What is Boas’ sign?
It is abdominal hyperesthesia as applied to the gallbladder. In Boas’ sign, patients with acute
cholecystitis experience referred pain and hyperesthesia of the right costophrenic angle (which is
indeed the referred site for gallbladder pain). Even a light touch in this area will elicit exquisite tenderness.
The sign, unfortunately, has very low sensitivity (only 7%).
It is abdominal hyperesthesia as applied to the gallbladder. In Boas’ sign, patients with acute
cholecystitis experience referred pain and hyperesthesia of the right costophrenic angle (which is
indeed the referred site for gallbladder pain). Even a light touch in this area will elicit exquisite tenderness.
The sign, unfortunately, has very low sensitivity (only 7%).