Opisthotonus

Opisthotonus of a tetanus patient (drawing by Charles Bell )

The opisthotonus ( Greek ópisthen 'backwards' and τόνος ' tone ', 'tension') is a spasm , especially in the extensor muscles of the back . It leads to a strong backward tilt of the head and to the hyperextension of the trunk and extremities .

It occurs as a symptom in some neurological diseases such as damage to the midbrain , cerebral haemorrhage , maple syrup disease , meningitis and also in tetanus and as a side effect in the context of early dyskinesia when neuroleptics are administered. It can also occur in other neurological diseases such as the cerebral form of malaria and strychnine poisoning .

See also

• stroke
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Brain stem syndrome

Web links

Commons : Opisthotonus  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Peter Berlit: Clinical Neurology , 3rd edition, Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg, 2011. ISBN 978-3-642-16919-9 . P. 1012.