Chvostek's sign (František Chvostek)

Alternative eponyms

Related people

Facialis phenomenon.

Description

Facialis phenomenon. Clinical sign of the presence of a mechanical hyperirritability of the peripheral nerves, particularly demonstrated in percussion of the nervus facialis. Tapping the face over the facial nerve in front of the tragus of the ear causes spasm of facial muscles, typically a twitch of the nose or lips. Seen in tetany and sometimes in anxiety states.

Bibliography

  • F. Chvostek:
    Beitrag zur Tetanie. Wiener medizinische Presse, 1876, 17: 1201-1203, 1225-1227, 1253-1258, 1313-1316. Nathan Weiss described "his" sign in: Centralblatt für die gesammte Therapie, 1883, 1: 9.

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