Professional
Technical
IVT
Chvostek sign
Pronunciation: KVOSS-tek sign
Clinical sign of hypocalcemia demonstrated by tapping the facial nerve to elicit muscle twitching.
Full Definition
A clinical sign of hypocalcemia elicited by gently tapping the facial nerve anterior to the ear, which causes contraction of the facial muscles on the same side. Named after Austrian surgeon Franz Chvostek, this sign is commonly assessed in patients following thyroid or parathyroid surgery to detect hypocalcemia. Medical editors should note the proper spelling and understand its significance in postoperative monitoring protocols.
Usage
Usage note: Proper noun derived from Franz Chvostek; capitalize appropriately. Often used with Trousseau sign.
In Context
- "The patient exhibited a positive Chvostek sign on postoperative examination." — Clinical assessment
- "Nursing staff were instructed to check for Chvostek sign every 4 hours." — Postoperative protocol
Also known as
Chvostek's sign
Don't confuse with
Trousseau sign
Hoffman sign