What Does a Positive Chvosteks Sign Indicate

A positive Chvostek’s sign represents increased neuromuscular excitability caused by hypocalcaemia. It can be even elicited in some young healthy children and alkalotic states following vomiting and hyperventilation.

What is positive chvostek's sign mean?

If the Chvostek sign is positive, ipsilateral twitching of the facial muscles occurs, whereas there is no movement when the sign is negative. A positive Chvostek sign may indicate hypocalcemia or other electrolyte imbalances, as well as severe conditions, like kidney failure or acute pancreatitis.

What are positive chvostek's and Trousseau's signs?

Chvostek’s sign is de- scribed as the twitching of facial muscles in response to tapping over the area of the facial nerve (Video 1). Trousseau’s sign is carpopedal spasm that results from ischemia, such as that induced by pressure applied to the upper arm from an in- flated sphygmomanometer cuff (Video 2).