Test: Lhermitte's phenomenon

Video Link

Background/Purpose

Lhermitte's is an electrical sensation that runs along the back and into the limbs. It may feel like it goes up or down the spine after bending the head forward or pounding on the posterior cervical spine while the neck is flexed. The sign suggests a lesion or compression of the upper cervical spinal cord or lower brainstem -- usually dorsal columns of the cervical cord or caudal medulla. Although often considered a finding in multiple sclerosis, it can be caused by transverse myelitis, trauma, vitamin B12 deficiency ), and compression from cervical spondylosis, disc herniation, tumor, and Arnold-Chiari malformation.

Procedure

Lhermitte's is an electrical sensation that runs along the back and into the limbs. It may feel like it goes up or down the spine after bending the head forward or pounding on the posterior cervical spine while the neck is flexed. The sign suggests a lesion or compression of the upper cervical spinal cord or lower brainstem -- usually dorsal columns of the cervical cord or caudal medulla. Although often considered a finding in multiple sclerosis, it can be caused by transverse myelitis, trauma, vitamin B12 deficiency ), and compression from cervical spondylosis, disc herniation, tumor, and Arnold-Chiari malformation.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Barber chair phenomenon

Criteria

• No pain is elicited with flexion or pounding

Measurement

0.00

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail