What are the Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs and what do they mean?
Chvostek’s sign and Trousseau’s sign are tests for neuromuscular irritability. Chvostek’s sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve 2 cm anterior to the earlobe. A positive response is ipsilateral (same side) twitching of the facial muscles. Trousseau’s sign is elicited by placing a blood pressure cuff on the arm, inflating the cuff slightly above the systolic pressure, leaving the cuff inflated 2 to 3 minutes, and deflating. A carpal spasm is a positive response. A positive Chvostek’s sign and Trousseau’s sign indicate hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
