Brudzinski’s sign

Brudzinski actually described several different signs in patients with meningitis. Brudzinski’s neck sign is most commonly recognized and is often simply referred to as Brudzinski’s sign.

With the patient supine, the physician places one hand behind the patient’s head and places the other hand on the patient’s chest. The physician then raises the patient’s head (with the hand behind the head) while the hand on the chest restrains the patient and prevents the patient from rising. Flexion of the patient’s lower extremities (hips and knees) constitutes a positive sign.

Brudzinski’s neck sign has more sensitivity than Kernig’s sign.