Purpose of Kernig’s sign: To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine (conventional practice). VM Kernig originally elicited this sign by having the patient in sitting position. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: With the patient lying supine, flex one of the patient’s legs (hip and knee joints) to 90 degrees, and then … Continue reading Kernig’s sign
Purpose of Brudziński’s symphyseal sign : To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: With the patient lying supine, place the heel of your hands on patient’s pubic symphysis and apply gentle pressure. Outcome: If this manoeuvre causes involuntary flexion of the patient’s hips and knees and … Continue reading Brudziński’s symphyseal sign
Purpose of Brudziński’s obscure cheek sign: To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: With the patient lying supine, apply pressure on both cheeks of the patient, inferior to the zygomatic arch. Outcome: Brudziński’s sign is a sign of meningeal irritation. If meningeal irritation is present, this … Continue reading Brudziński’s Obscure Cheek Sign
Purpose of Brudziński’s Reciprocal Contralateral Reflex Sign: To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: First, place one of the patient’s legs (hip and knee joints) in flexion. A leg first placed in flexion causes a reflex, involuntary movement of extension after the passive flexion of the … Continue reading Brudziński’s Reciprocal Contralateral Reflex Sign
Purpose of Brudziński’s contralateral reflex sign: To determine if the patient has inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) (1). Patient position: Lying supine. Examiner position: Standing beside the bed, facing the patient. Procedure: While having the patient lying supine on the bed with both legs extended, flex one of the patient’s legs (hip and knee joints) and bring the knee towards the chest. Outcome: Brudziński’s sign … Continue reading Brudziński’s contralateral reflex sign
