Chvostek’s sign is elicited by
High-Yield Explanation
The Clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia are mostly due to neuromuscular irritability.
The patients complains of paresthesias which are typically perioral or of the hands and feets
Tetany is the classic manifestation of hypocalcemia, the manifestations are :
Corpopedal Spasm o Laryngospasm o Seizures Latent tetany occurs which can be manifested by
Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign Electrocardiographic manifestations The classic E.C.G.
change with hypocalcemia is prolonged corrected QT interval Other possible E. C. G.
findings are o Prolonged ST interval o Peaked T waves o Arryhtmmias Heart block (hypocalcemia may impair cardiac contractility and decrease blood pressure) GI.
T manifestations o Intestinal cramps and malabsorption NOTE: Corpopedal spasm: o Contraction the muscels of the hand and feet.
The wrists are flexed and fingers extended, with the thumbs adducted over the palms. Chvostek sign:
Tapping the facial nerve anterior to the external auditory meatus elicits a twitch of the upper lip or entire mouth.
This is not a very specific sign because it is positive in about 10% of patients without hypocalcemia. Trousseau sign:
A blood pressure cuff is inflated slightly above the systotic blood pressure for more than 3 minutes.
Corpopedal spasm occurs if hypocalcemia is present as a result of the ischemia of motor nerves.