The opisthotonos (of the Greek opistho , backwards and tonos for tension) is one diminishes generalized prevalent on the extensors, so that the body is behind curved and the members are in extension. It is about the one of the traditional signs of an attack by the Tétanos but of other affections can be the origin about it.

In the animal, this posture can be reproduced in experiments by the section of the Mésencéphale. At the child and the newborn, the posture is accentuated often. In the extreme cases, the feet of the infant touch the head.

Not-treated by drugs likely to slacken the muscular tension, the opisthotonos can lead to respiratory disorders which can involve a Asphyxie. In the event of difficult breathing, a Trachéotomie can be considered.

Causes

• Tetanus
• Central nervous system disorders (generated by a traumatism, a Brain hemorrhage, a Tumor, etc)
• cerebral driving Infirmity
• Meningitis
• Disease of maple syrup
• viral hemorrhagic Disease
• Malformation of Arnold-Chiari
• Disease of Left-handed person
• achondroplasic Disease of Krabbe
• Nanisme

External bonds

• Opisthotonos on Vulgaris-medical
• Opisthotonos on MedlinePlus