What is Trousseau's sign indicative of?

What is Trousseau's sign indicative of?

• A. Hypomagnesemia
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hyperkalemia

Answer: (B)

Trousseau's sign is a clinical indicator used to assess for hypocalcemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood. The sign is elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff around the patient's arm to a level above systolic pressure for a few minutes. If hypocalcemia is present, this maneuver will result in the involuntary contraction of muscles in the hand and forearm, known as carpopedal spasm, leading to the characteristic posturing often referred to as "vitamin D deficiency hand." The underlying mechanism involves the role of calcium in neuromuscular excitability. When calcium levels are low, the excitability of nerves and muscles increases, resulting in spasms and symptoms like those shown in Trousseau's sign. This is particularly important in clinical practice, as recognizing this sign can prompt further evaluation and treatment of hypocalcemia, which can arise from various conditions such as parathyroid disorders, vitamin D deficiency, or acute pancreatitis. While other electrolyte imbalances like hypomagnesemia, hypercalcemia, and hyperkalemia have their own clinical manifestations, they do not produce Trousseau's sign. Hypomagnesemia can sometimes lead to neuromuscular excitability

Trousseau's sign is a clinical indicator used to assess for hypocalcemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood. The sign is elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff around the patient's arm to a level above systolic pressure for a few minutes. If hypocalcemia is present, this maneuver will result in the involuntary contraction of muscles in the hand and forearm, known as carpopedal spasm, leading to the characteristic posturing often referred to as "vitamin D deficiency hand."

The underlying mechanism involves the role of calcium in neuromuscular excitability. When calcium levels are low, the excitability of nerves and muscles increases, resulting in spasms and symptoms like those shown in Trousseau's sign. This is particularly important in clinical practice, as recognizing this sign can prompt further evaluation and treatment of hypocalcemia, which can arise from various conditions such as parathyroid disorders, vitamin D deficiency, or acute pancreatitis.

While other electrolyte imbalances like hypomagnesemia, hypercalcemia, and hyperkalemia have their own clinical manifestations, they do not produce Trousseau's sign. Hypomagnesemia can sometimes lead to neuromuscular excitability