The Tobey–Ayer test is used for lateral sinus thrombosis by monitoring cerebrospinal fluid pressure during a

lumbar puncture Lumbar puncture (LP), also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal, most commonly to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic testing. The main reason for a lumbar puncture is to ...

. No increase of cerebrospinal fluid pressure during compression of the internal jugular vein on the affected side, and an exaggerated response on the patent side, is suggestive of lateral sinus thrombosis.

History

Tobey–Ayer test was the first specific test for lateral sinus thrombosis. It was created by Tobey, G. L. and Ayer, J. B. in 1925 when they first introduced modifications to the

Queckenstedt's maneuver Queckenstedt's maneuver is a clinical test, formerly used for diagnosing spinal stenosis. The test is performed by placing the patient in the lateral decubitus position, thereafter the clinician performs a lumbar puncture. The opening pressure ...

test used at the time to diagnose obstruction to spinal cerebrospinal fluid flow.

References

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