What is Brudzinski’s Sign?

A Brudzinski Sign is an involuntary lifting of a patient’s legs in response to an examining Doctor of Health Practioner lifting the head. This is often associated with meningeal irritation, such as blood in the mininges (Subarachnoid Haemorrhage) or Acute Meningitis.

Josef Brudzinski was a Polish Doctor who has been noted for his identification of many of the signs of Meningitis.

What is the clinical significance of Brudzinski’s sign?

As a paramedic you may wish to perform a Brudzinski’s test on any patient that you suspect to have meningeal iritation, such as meningitis. A positive Brudzinski’s sign indicates meningeal iriation and is often associated with meningitis. This is a life-threatening emergency and should be treated as such by paramedics.

 

Should paramedic perform a Brudzinski’s test on all patients? No, only patients who the paramedic is concerned may have meningitis.