| epidemic tetany | An acute epidemic form of tetany, of several weeks' duration, occurring chiefly in winter. Synonym: epidemic tetany. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| latent tetany | A rather vague disorder recognised more in Europe than in the U.S. Consisting of a number of non-specific complaints, including generalised weakness, hand and foot cramping, distal paresthesia, anxiety, and depression. Some think it is a "normocalcaemic tetany"; others consider it "chronic hyperventilation syndrome." Typically with certain provoking procedures (e.g., limb ischemia, hyperventilation) in which case, obvious tetany develops. See: Trousseau's sign, Chvostek's sign, Erb sign. Synonym: crytotetany, spasmophilia. (05 Mar 2000) |