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Hess test; Rumpel-Leede test; tourniquet test
Indications:
- used to assess capillary fragility
Procedure:
- pressure is applied to the forearm with a blood pressure cuff inflated to between systolic blood pressure & diastolic blood pressure for 10 minutes
- number of petechiae in a 5 cm diameter circle of the area under pressure is counted after the cuff is removed
Interpretation:
- normally < 15 petechiae are seen
- > 15 petechiae indicate capillary fragility as occurs with platelet disorders & dengue fever
General
clinical procedure
References
- Wikipedia: Hess test
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hess_test
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Clinical Assessment. Tourniquet Test handout
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/training/cme/ccm/page73112.html