Courvoisier's sign is a non-tender but distended palpable gallbladder, associated with jaundice.
This clinical sign is named after the Swiss surgeon Ludwig Courvoisier. It typically indicates an obstructive jaundice due to a blockage in the common bile duct. The gallbladder becomes distended as a consequence of the obstruction, leading to its palpable enlargement. Importantly, unlike in cases of inflammation (such as cholecystitis), the gallbladder in Courvoisier's sign is non-tender upon examination. The association with jaundice points to a likely cause beyond gallstone disease, often involving tumors, like pancreatic or ampullary malignancies.
In summary, Courvoisier's sign presents as a non-tender, palpable distended gallbladder alongside jaundice, and it serves as a valuable clinical clue, prompting further investigation into the underlying obstructive pathology, frequently associated with malignancies in the biliary or pancreatic system.