The Romberg Sign and its Clinical Significance

O Sinal de Romberg e sua Significância Clínica

Samuel Pedro Pereira Silveira
Elvis Edmar Cora Sobrinho
Henrico Garchet Batistela
Izadora Herrera Frasson Matheus
Luan da Silva Marques
Paulo Fernandes dos Santos Júnior
Carlos Umberto Pereira
Roberto Alexandre Dezena

https://doi.org/10.22290/jbnc.2025.360111
J Bras Neurocirur 36 (1):48-53, 2025

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Downloads: 29

Resumo

O teste de Romberg é uma ferramenta essencial na avaliação neurológica, utilizada para investigar a integridade das vias proprioceptivas, incluindo as colunas dorsais da medula espinhal e o sistema vestibular. De grande relevância histórica e clínica, suas descrições originais remontam a Moritz Heinrich Romberg, que consolidou sua importância semiológica e diagnóstica. O teste consiste em avaliar o equilíbrio do paciente com os olhos abertos e fechados, permitindo a identificação de disfunções proprioceptivas. Suas variações, como os testes de Romberg em tandem e em marcha, aumentam a sensibilidade em condições como mielopatia cervical e esclerose múltipla. Apesar de sua utilidade clínica, o teste apresenta limitações, como a variabilidade na interpretação e sensibilidade a déficits não proprioceptivos. Este artigo discute o desenvolvimento histórico, a fisiopatologia e as implicações clínicas do teste de Romberg, destacando a importância de sua integração com tecnologias avançadas para aprimorar a precisão diagnóstica.

Palavras-chave

Ataxia; Neurológico, exame; Romberg, teste; Vestibular, sistema

Abstract

The Romberg test is a fundamental tool in neurological evaluation, assessing the integrity of proprioceptive pathways, including the dorsal columns of the spinal cord and vestibular system. This historical and clinically significant test traces its origins to Moritz Heinrich Romberg, who established its semiological and diagnostic importance. The test involves observing balance with eyes open and closed, providing insight into proprioceptive dysfunction. Variations, such as the tandem and walking Romberg tests, enhance sensitivity for conditions like cervical myelopathy and multiple sclerosis. Despite its clinical utility, the test’s limitations include variability in interpretation and sensitivity to non-proprioceptive deficits. This article explores the historical development, pathophysiology, and clinical implications of the Romberg test, advocating for its integration with technological advancements to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Keywords

Ataxia; Neurologic examination; Romberg test; Vestibular system

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1Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro – UFTM, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.

2Universidade Federal de Sergipe – UFS, Aracaju, SE, Brazil.

3Discipline of Neurosurgery, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro – UFTM, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.

Received Dec 22, 2024

Accepted Dec 27, 2024