TROUSSEAU SIGN OF LATENT TETANY Meaning and
Definition
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The "trousseau sign of latent tetany" refers to a physical examination finding that is used to detect or diagnose a condition known as latent tetany. Latent tetany refers to a state of low calcium levels in the blood, which can lead to hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles. The trousseau sign is often used as a clinical marker for this condition.
To perform the trousseau sign, a healthcare provider will wrap a blood pressure cuff around the patient's upper arm and inflate it to a pressure above their systolic blood pressure for a few minutes. In individuals with latent tetany, this maneuver can cause a characteristic spasm or contraction of the hand and fingers, with the hand assuming a characteristic posture resembling a writing hand ('main d'écrivain" in French). The spasm is believed to be due to the induced hypoxia and muscle irritability resulting from the decreased blood flow and pressure.
The trousseau sign of latent tetany is named after the French physician Alexis Trousseau, who first described the phenomenon in the mid-19th century. It has since become an important diagnostic tool for healthcare providers to identify latent tetany, which may be caused by various conditions, including hypoparathyroidism, malabsorption disorders, vitamin D deficiency, or kidney dysfunction. By recognizing and assessing the trousseau sign, healthcare providers can initiate appropriate investigations and treatments to correct the calcium imbalance and prevent potential complications associated with latent tetany.
