Abnormal Posturing
Look For
- Abnormal flexion and / or extension of limbs, in an uncomfortable position.
Interpretation
- Decorticate - flexion, adduction and internal rotation of the arms; supination of the forearms and extension of the legs.Damage to cerebral hemispheres with brain stem preservation
- Decerebrate - extension of the arms, pronation of the forearms extension of the legsDamage to upper brain stem
- Opisthotonic - secerebrate posturing with posterior arching of the neck and back.Severe damage to the upper brain stem
Causes of Abnormal Posturing
- Head injury
- Intracranial bleed
- Cerebral infarction
- Intracranial hypertension
- Encephalopathy - drugs, toxins, infection, hepatic
- Tumour - primary or secondary
Next Page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------