Each disease can be diagnosed due to the manifestation of certain symptoms. Some of the diseases known to mankind are named after scientists who were the first to discover certain patterns. An example is the symptom of Hvostek. It was first described by a military therapist from Austria Franz (according to other sources František) Svostek Sr., who collaborated with another scientist - a neurologist from Germany Friedrich Schulze. It happened in 1876. A little later, a doctor from Austria, Nathan Weiss, came to a similar description. That is why the Hvostek symptom has synonymous names: Schulze symptom - Hvostek, Weiss symptom.
The presence of manifestations of this ailment in a person can be an indicator of the fact that in his body there is increased muscle excitability.
Features of the phenomenon
This spasmophilic symptom consists in fairly quick contractions of the muscles of the face, which occur if you hit a special hammer in the area of the so-called goose foot (in front of the tragus). Actions data are produced in the area between the arch of the cheekbone and the corner of the mouth. It is here that the facial nerve passes . When tapping with a hammer in this place, there are instant contractions of the muscles of the mouth, nose, and also the outer corner of the eye.
The symptom is not always considered positive, but only if the contraction is involuntary and concerns the muscles of the eyelid (in some cases, twitching of the muscles of the upper lip can also be observed). To clarify the presence of a symptom, the procedure is repeated sequentially on both sides of the face.
Degrees of symptom manifestation
There are three degrees of manifestation, in other words of intensity, of a given symptom, which depend on the area of its distribution.
- I degree or Tail-I. Twitching of all facial muscles that are innervated by the facial nerve is characteristic of this degree.
- II degree or Tail II. In this case, only the muscles of the lips, the area around the mouth and nose are reduced.
- III degree or Tail III. It is considered the easiest degree in which you can see contractions of only those muscles that are located in the corners of the mouth.
What diseases is the symptom positive for?
This symptom can be crucial in the diagnosis of many diseases. For example, in combination with a symptom of Trousseau, he indicates the development of spasmophilia.
Hvostek's symptom can be positive in many diseases.
- Tetania is a clinical syndrome that is characterized by increased excitability of the neuromuscular system, which is expressed by periodic convulsions. With this disease, most often there is a symptom of Hvostek of the first degree, that is, the most severe.
- Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by mycobacteria.
- Epilepsy is a violation of the nervous system that is chronic.
- Anemia is a condition of the body that is characterized by a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.
- Functional disorders of the nervous system.
- Bell palsy (facial neuritis). With its recovery period, a symptom of Hvostek is observed, a photo of which can be seen in this article. At this time, it is not recommended to carry out procedures that are aimed at stimulating the NS.
Symptom of the tail with spasmophilia
Spasmophilia, or tetany, is a disease in which Hvostek's symptom is expressed in its most severe form. For this ailment, carpopedal spasms are characteristic, that is, when the hand is bent, and the thumb is almost completely brought to the palm. The facial muscles are very tense (the so-called titanic face). Cramps can last for several hours. In severe forms, they last 2 to 3 days, and are accompanied by rather painful sensations. Seizures from the face can pass to the larynx, which leads to the development of laryngospasm. With prolonged continuation, loss of consciousness may follow.
In addition, there are increased excitability, emotional lability, sleep disturbances, disorders of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal dyskinesia (violation of the tone and peristalsis of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract).
The main indicator, after determining which the diagnosis is made, is a low level of calcium in the blood.
Symptom Hvostek with thyrotoxicosis
This disease is associated with an increase in the number of thyroid hormones in the blood. The reason, as a rule, is a violation of the thyroid gland, namely an increase in its functions.
Khvostek's symptom is characteristic of moderate thyrotoxicosis, in other words, with its manifest form. The peculiarity of this stage is the expanded clinical picture, that is, symptoms can occur from almost all organs and systems, since the hormones that are produced by the thyroid gland are directly involved in all processes.
With complicated thyrotoxicosis, the symptom may be more pronounced, and irreversible changes are possible.