 Videos

Chvostek's sign

This video demonstrates Chvostek’s sign in a 53-year-old who presented two weeks after near total thyroidectomy for obstructive nodular goitre. Chvostek’s sign is traditionally elicited by tapping on the face at a point just anterior to the ear and below the zygomatic bone. A positive response is represented by twitching of the ipsilateral facial muscles, suggesting neuromuscular excitability. Although previously linked to hypocalcaemia, Chvostek’s sign is now considered poorly sensitive and specific of hypocalcaemia.