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Camillo Negro (1861–1927) and his method for eliciting the extensor toe sign

  • History of Neurology
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Abstract

The “toe phenomenon”, or extensor toe sign, is characterized by the extension (dorsiflexion) of the great toe elicited by plantar stimulation, and indicates pyramidal tract dysfunction. This phenomenon was first extensively described and studied by Joseph Jules François Félix Babiński (1857–1932), who introduced it in clinical practice. In 1912, the famous Italian neurologist Camillo Negro (1861–1927) proposed a new method of eliciting the extensor toe sign by inviting the patient, lying in bed in dorsal decubitus position, to raise the paretic limb with the leg extended on the thigh. This sign appeared during voluntary effort and could not be elicited by raising the unaffected lower limb. Negro was also the first to investigate the influence of cold upon the appearance of the “toe phenomenon” and to propose the use of (faradic) electrical stimulation to evoke it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Via Rossini, 5, 39012, Merano-Meran, Italy

    Francesco Brigo

  2. Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy

    Davide Norata

  3. Neuroscience Department, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Paolo Benna

  4. UOC Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Lecco, Merate, Italy

    Lorenzo Lorusso

Authors
  1. Francesco Brigo
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  2. Davide Norata
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  3. Paolo Benna
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  4. Lorenzo Lorusso
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on behalf of the Study Group on the History of Neurology of the Italian Neurological Society

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Francesco Brigo conceived and wrote the article; the other authors revised it critically for important intellectual content.

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Correspondence to Francesco Brigo.

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Brigo, F., Norata, D., Benna, P. et al. Camillo Negro (1861–1927) and his method for eliciting the extensor toe sign. Neurol Sci 43, 2887–2889 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05711-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05711-3

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