Meningism

Meningism

Meningism (meningismus, nuchal rigidity) is a stiffness or discomfort on passive movement (especially flexion) of the neck in the presence of meningeal irritation (e.g., infective meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage). A number of other, eponymous, signs of meningeal irritation have been described, of which the best known are those of Kernig and Brudzinski.
Meningism is not synonymous with meningitis, since it may occur in acute systemic pyrexial illnesses (pneumonia, bronchitis), especially in children. Moreover, meningism may be absent despite the presence of meningitis in the elderly and those receiving immunosuppression.

Cross References

Brudzinski’s (neck) sign; Kernig’s sign; Nuchal rigidity