Brudzinski's sign of Meningitis

Brudzinski's sign is one of the physically demonstrable symptoms of meningitis. Severe neck stiffness causes a patient's hips and knees to flex when the neck is flexed.

Brudzinski's sign of Meningitis

Purpose

Brudzinski's sign is used to diagnose meningitis

Technique

To perform the Brudzinski's sign

Step 1. Patient in supine position

Step 2. Gently grasp the patient's head from behind and place the other hand on the patient's chest

Step 3. Gently flex the neck, bringing chin to chest

Step 4. Positive sign is involuntary flexing of hips and knees (an involuntary reaction to lessen the stretch on the inflamed meninges)