> Fun ways to get fit

> Training for success

> Smokers get their way

> SA tests HIV concoction

> Stem cell awareness

> Safeguard your heart

> Saying sorry works

> Time to detox...

> Smoke-free cigarettes

> Swine flu not mutating

Today, 30 July 2010

› Panjo's owner 'facing jail'

› 'Defensive' media warned

› Mugabe's sister dies

› Sanzar to charge Div

› 'Reitz Four' learn fate

Yesterday, 29 July 2010

› 'White men still dominate'

› Shock, awe at Parliament

› 'Terrified' Panjo found

› So, is Div really that bad?

› Strikers hit SA streets

Question

A neurologist recently told me that I exhibit Lhermitte's sign, which he associated with possible early multiple sclerosis. Please may I have some information on this sign?

Answer

Lhermitte's sign is the term used to describe an electric shock-like sensation which radiates down the back and into the legs when someone flexes their neck. This is a sign of nerve damage which shows up when the neck is flexed and the nerve stretched.

It is associated with multiple sclerosis, but is also seen in other forms of damage to the nervous system, such as radiation injury or as a side effect of radiotherapy in the region of the neck. It can also be seen in patients with a particular type of brain tumour- a meningioma - in the base of the skull.

In itself, the sign is not diagnostic but it leads to investigation for particular types of nerve damage.

MORE NEUROLOGY Q&A'S

[an error occurred while processing this directive]