Asterixis is considered a form of myoclonus.

HOW TO DETECT? Have the patient hold their arms outstretched with fingers and wrists extended. There will be intermittent loss of muscular tone causes sudden flexion at the wrists followed by a return to extension, so that the hands flap in a regular or, more often, an irregular rhythm.

See video here.

Major Causes for Asterixis include:

  • Hepatic Encephalopathy
  • Hypercapnia
  • Uremic Encephalopathy

REFERENCES

  1. Young RR, Shahani BT. Asterixis: one type of negative myoclonus. Adv Neurol. 1986;43:137-56.
  2. Chapter 11: Movement Disorders. Clinical Neurology, 9e
Get Medical Pearls directly to your inbox every week!
Weekly posts with high yield medical knowledge, directly to your mailbox!
Dr. C Humphreys

Internal Medicine

Share
Published by
Dr. C Humphreys

Recent Posts

Nocturia and OSA: Mechanism

Nocturia is a common symptom associated with obstructive sleep apnea. [1] Img Cred: Am J…

6 months ago

ASD vs. VSD Murmur Difference

ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) Wide, Fixed split S2 (in contrast to the normal variation in…

6 months ago

Mechanism of a Mixed Apnea

Mixed apneas are characterized by absent respiratory effort and airflow in the first section of…

1 year ago

How Does Hypothyroidism Cause Hypoventilation?

Although rare, the differential diagnosis of hypoventilation and hypercapnia respiratory failure includes hypothyroidism. It is…

1 year ago

Why is Pro-BNP/ BNP lower in Obesity?

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone created in response to cardiac wall stretch due…

2 years ago

What is Peribronchovascular Distribution on CT imaging?

A common finding described on computed tomography (CT) imaging. A disease with a peribronchovascular distribution…

3 years ago

This website uses cookies.