The right iliac fossa squelch sign: a marker of the irritable bowel syndrome.

The right iliac fossa squelch sign, not previously associated with the irritable bowel syndrome, is found in over one-third of patients at diagnosis. It is found in one-quarter of patients who have not improved at follow-up, but is virtually absent in those who have improved. It is also found in patients with active regional enteritis. Fluid feces passing through bowel of decreased pliability may be the factor which allows elicitation of the sign.