In addition to hepatic encephalopathy what other diseases cause asterixis?
Asterixis, or “flapping tremor,” is best elicited by the extension of outstretched, opened hands.
It results from the acute loss of muscle tone or contraction associated with passive or active hand/wrist extension (“negative” myoclonus), most likely induced by pathologic coupling of the thalamus and motor cortex.
This sign is encountered in many metabolic encephalopathies, including uremia, malnutrition, severe pulmonary disease, and polycythemia rubra vera.
