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Tetany

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Tetany, Chvostek's Sign

  • Pathophysiology
  1. Lowered muscular excitability threshold
  2. Results in involuntary spasms
  3. Diffuse Muscles involved in severe, spontaneous Tetany
    1. Laryngeal Stridor
    2. Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizure
    3. Death may occur
  • Causes
  1. Hypoparathyroidism
  2. Hyperventilation
  3. Hypocalcemia
  4. Hypomagnesemia
  • Symptoms
  1. Muscle spasms
  2. Spasm may be preceded by lip, arm, leg Paresthesias
  • Signs
  1. Rigid, unyielding Muscles
  2. Carpopedal Spasm
  3. Chvostek's Sign
    1. Tap Facial Nerve against bone just anterior to ear
    2. Positive sign produces ipsilateral facial contraction