The Cullen sign, periumbilical ecchymosis (1 of 2)

A faint blue discoloration around the umbilicus

In acute pancreatitis, Cullen's or Turner's sign occurs in
approximately 3 percent of patients and is associated with
a mortality of 37 percent. Although most commonly
described in hemorrhagic pancreatitis, neither of these
signs is specific to this condition.

Cullen's sign arises from the spread of retroperitoneal
blood into the falciform ligament and subsequently to
subcutaneous umbilical tissues through the connective
tissue covering of the round ligament.

Conditions Associated with Cullen’s Sign

Pancreatitis
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
Ruptured aortic aneurysm
Ruptured spleen
Ruptured common bile duct
Perforated duodenal ulcer
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatic lymphoma
Metastatic thyroid cancer
Rectus sheath hematoma