Macewen's sign
Macewen's sign or Macewen sign is a sign used to help to diagnose hydrocephalus and brain abscesses. Tapping the skull near the junction of the frontal, temporal and parietal bones will produce cracked pot sound. Positive test is indication of separated sutures. This is due to raised intracranial tension.
The sign was discovered and described by Sir William Macewen, a surgeon and professor of the University of Glasgow, Scotland, who also described Macewen's operation for inguinal hernia.
McEwan's sign in alcohol intoxication is different: Pupils are contracted, but on external painful stimulation of the person causes pupil to dilate followed by slow constriction. It is suggestive of alcoholic coma.
