[Cervico-mimetic meningeal symptom in acute diffuse lesions of the cerebral meninges].

The response of a patient in the form of a painful grimace at the examination of occipital rigidity is considered as an objective positive cervical-mimic symptom. Its informative value increases when diffuse muscular hypertonus and restlessness compound the study and interpretation of the major classic meningeal symptoms. In seven patients, a positive symptom made it possible to connect their state with acute diffuse meningeal pathology prior to a cerebrospinal fluid examination; a negative symptom allowed the exclusion of meningeal pathology in 13 patients which was confirmed by CSF examination. The author failed to find any reported data on this symptom.