Lhermitte's sign

Related people

Flexing of the neck produces electric shock-like sensations that extend down the spine and shoot into the limbs.

Description

So-called Barber Chair phenomenon. Flexing of the neck produces electric shock-like sensations that extend down the spine and shoot into the limbs. Caused by trauma to the cervical portion of the spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, cervical cord tumour, cervical spondylosis, or even vitamin B12 deficiency.

Bibliography

  • J. J. Lhermitte, Pollak, M. Nikolas:
    Les douleurs à type discharge éléctrique consécutives à la flexion cephalique dans la sclérose en plaques. Un cas de la sclérose multiple.
    Revue neurologique, Paris, 1924, 2: 56-57.
  • J. J. Lhermitte:
    Multiple sclerosis.
    Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry, Chicago, 1929, 22: 5-8.

What is an eponym?

An eponym is a word derived from the name of a person, whether real or fictional. A medical eponym is thus any word related to medicine, whose name is derived from a person.

What is Whonamedit?

Whonamedit.com is a biographical dictionary of medical eponyms. It is our ambition to present a complete survey of all medical phenomena named for a person, with a biography of that person.

Disclaimer:

Whonamedit? does not give medical advice.
This survey of medical eponyms and the persons behind them is meant as a general interest site only. No information found here must under any circumstances be used for medical purposes, diagnostically, therapeutically or otherwise. If you, or anybody close to you, is affected, or believe to be affected, by any condition mentioned here: see a doctor.