MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Decerebrate posture

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Decerebrate posture

Contents of this page:
Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Definition

Decerebrate posture is an abnormal body posture indicated by rigid extension of the arms and legs, downward pointing of the toes, and backward arching of the head. A severe injury to the brain at the level of the brainstem is the usual cause.

Considerations

Opisthotonos (a severe muscle spasm of the neck and back) may accompany decerebrate posture in severe cases.

Usually, decerebrate posture indicates deterioration of the structures of the nervous system, particularly the upper brain stem.

Decerebrate posture occurs in many patterns. It can occur on one side, on both sides, or in just the arms. It may alternate with decorticate posture (abnormal posturing due to corticospinal tract injury), or a person can have decorticate posture on one side and decerebrate posture on the other.

Common Causes

Cerebral infarction (stroke)
Intracranial hemorrhage
Primary brain tumor
Secondary brain tumor
Encephalopathy
Head injury
Increased intracranial pressure from any cause
Brain stem tumor
Hepatic encephalopathy

Home Care

Conditions associated with decerebrate posture require immediate hospital treatment.

Call your health care provider if

Abnormal posturing of any sort usually accompanies reduced consciousness. Anyone exhibiting an abnormal posture should be examined promptly by the health care provider.

Note: In some conditions such as prolonged coma, these behaviors can persist for an extended period of time.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Emergency measures may begin immediately, including placement of an artificial airway (breathing tube) and assistance with breathing. The person will likely be hospitalized and in intensive care. Once the person is stabilized, the medical history will be obtained from family members and a physical examination will be performed.

Medical history questions documenting decerebrate posture in detail may include:

Time pattern
- When did this behavior start?
- Is there a pattern to the occurrences?
Quality
- Is it always the same type of posture?
Other
- Is there any significant medical history (such as a known head injury)?
- What other symptoms preceded or accompanied the abnormal posturing?

The physical examination will include a complete neurological assessment.

Diagnostic testing may include:

Update Date: 5/8/2003

Updated by: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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