Meningism

Definition

Meningism is the triad of nuchal rigidity, photophobia (intolerance of bright light) and headache. It is a sign of irritation of the meninges, such as seen in meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhages and various other diseases. "Meningismus" is the term used when the above listed symptoms are present without actual infection or inflammation; usually it is seen in concordance with other acute illnesses in the pediatric population. ^[1] Related clinical signs include Kernig's sign and three signs all named Brudzinski's sign.

Clinical Signs

The main clinical signs that indicate meningism are nuchal rigidity, Kernig's sign and Brudzinsky's signs. None of the signs are particularly sensitive; in adults with meningitis, nuchal rigidity was present in 30% and Kernig's or Brudzinsky's sign only in 5%.^[2]

Nuchal rigidity

Nuchal rigidity is the inability to flex the head forward due to rigidity of the neck muscles; if flexion of the neck is painful but full range of motion is present, nuchal rigidity is absent.

Kernig's sign

Kernig's sign (after Woldemar Kernig (1840-1917), a Baltic German neurologist) is positive when the leg is fully bent in the hip and knee, and subsequent extension in the knee is painful (leading to resistance).^[3]. This may indicate subarachnoid haemorrhage or meningitis.^[4]. Patients may also show opisthotonus—spasm of the whole body that leads to legs and head being bent back and body bowed forward.^{[citation needed]}

Brudzinski's signs

Josef Brudzinski (1874-1917), a Polish pediatrician, is credited with several signs in meningitis. The most commonly used sign (Brudzinski's neck sign) is the appearance of involuntary lifting of the legs in meningeal irritation when lifting a patient's head.^[5][2]

Other signs attributed to Brudzinski:^[6]

• The symphyseal sign, in which pressure on the pubic symphysis leads to abduction of the leg and reflexive hip and knee flexion.^[7]
• The cheek sign, in which pressure on the cheek below the zygoma leads to rising and flexion in the forearm.^[7]
• Brudzinski's reflex, in which passive flexion of one knee into the abdomen leads to involuntary flexion in the opposite leg, and stretching of a limb that was flexed leads to contralateral extension.^[8]