Hirsutism physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]: Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Rasam Hajiannasab M.D.[2], Ahmed Younes M.B.B.CH [3]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Patients with hirsutism usually appear normal and in no acute distress. The degree of hirsutism can be estimated using the Ferriman-Gallwey score.

Physical Examination[edit | edit source]

General[edit | edit source]

Patients with hirsutism usually appear normal and in no acute distress. The degree of hirsutism can be estimated using the Ferriman-Gallwey score.^[1]

Appearance[edit | edit source]

• Patients with hirsutism usually appear normal and in no acute distress.

Skin[edit | edit source]

• generalized increase in growth of the hair on all of the body (hypertrichosis).^[1]
• The skin of the abdomen may show striae in the cases of Cushing syndrome.

Neck[edit | edit source]

• The neck is usually supple without any masses.

Lungs[edit | edit source]

• The lungs are usually clear to auscultation.

Abdomen[edit | edit source]

• Inspection may show central obesity if Cushing syndrome is present.^[2]
• Palpation of the abdomen may reveal masses in the iliac fossae if PCO is the cause of hirsutism.

Heart[edit | edit source]

• Auscultation of the heart reveals normal S1, S2, with no rubs, gallops, or murmurs.

Extremities[edit | edit source]

• The extremities may show wasting in the cases of Cushing syndrome.

Neurologic[edit | edit source]

• Patient is usually oriented to time, person, and place with average motor and sensory functions.

References[edit | edit source]