Delayed onset refractory dystonic movements following propofol anesthesia

Acute Dystonic Reaction After Propofol Administration: A Pediatric Case Report

We present a case of a 12-year-old female with a history of infantile spasms who developed a propofol-associated acute dystonic reaction after emergence from general anesthesia for foot surgery. Uniquely, the patient's postoperative symptoms of an acute dystonic reaction were refractory to standard treatment with anticholinergics but were successfully treated with corticosteroids. The absence of any dystonic symptoms following subsequent foot surgery under general anesthesia without propofol supported a propofol-associated etiology. This case may contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of propofol-associated acute dystonic reactions and adds a possible new treatment option.

Toxin-Induced Coma and Central Nervous System Depression

Many medications and toxins may induce central nervous system (CNS) depression. Even when the intention is to induce CNS depression, other nervous system adverse effects may occur, such as with anesthetics. Pain medications produce characteristic CNS toxicities. Sedative hypnotics may induce altered mentation among systemic toxicities. Stimulants may mimic coma when discontinued abruptly. Acute and chronic carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to altered mental status and prolonged cognitive difficulties. Some medications and environmental toxins can mimic brain death. High clinical suspicion and early recognition of these effects is vital to treatment, most of which is supportive.

Severe Neuroexcitatory Reaction: A Rare and Underrecognized Life-Threatening Complication of Propofol-Induced Anesthesia

We describe a case of severe neuroexcitatory reaction with hyperthermia after administration of propofol in a 43-year-old patient suspected of a relapse of sarcoidosis who underwent bronchoscopy. This resulted in a lengthy stay in intensive care and long-term neuropsychological impairment. A review of the literature shows that severe neuroexcitatory symptoms (seizure-like phenomena, abnormal hypertonic, and/or jerky movements) occur rarely after propofol administration and may be life-threatening. Due to the paucity of data, the treatment is mostly empirical. The diagnosis can also be delayed owing to underrecognition. We conclude that health practitioners who frequently use propofol should be aware of this specific manifestation of drug toxicity, which albeit rare can be devastating for the patient.

Propofol Frenzy: Clinical Spectrum in 3 Patients

Postsedation neuroexcitation is sometimes attributed to intravenous injection of the sedative-hypnotic drug propofol. The movements associated with these events have strongly suggested convulsive activity, but they rarely have been comprehensively evaluated. We present video recordings of 3 healthy young patients who underwent elective surgery under conscious sedation and emerged from sedation with transient but repetitive violent motor activity and impaired consciousness. These manifestations required considerable mobilization of multiple health care workers to protect the patient from inflicting harm. All patients received propofol, and all fully recovered without adverse sequelae. We postulate that these movements are propofol related. Importantly, we found no evidence of seizures clinically or electrographically.

Diphenhydramine for Acute Extrapyramidal Symptoms After Propofol Administration

Extrapyramidal symptoms are an uncommon but well-recognized side effect after the administration of general anesthesia in patients without a significant neurologic history. Several case reports implicate propofol as the likely causative agent producing these symptoms, which include ballismus, dystonia, choreoathetosis, and opisthotonus. Currently, there is no clear consensus on first-line treatment of these symptoms. In each of the published cases, anticholinergic medications and benzodiazepines were central to initial management, although the speed and extent of symptom resolution were variable. Here we present a case of a 17-year-old boy with ulcerative colitis who presented with ballismus, torticollis, tongue thrusting, and oculogyric movements after colonoscopy under general anesthesia with propofol. The patient responded promptly to treatment with diphenhydramine. This is the first reported case in which diphenhydramine was successfully used as the primary treatment of severe extrapyramidal symptoms in a pediatric patient after propofol administration.

Propofol effects on cerebellar long-term depression

Propofol is an intravenously administered anesthetic that induces γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibition in the central nervous system. It has been implicated in prolonged movement disorders. Since the cerebellum is important for motor coordination and learning, we investigated the potential effects of propofol on cerebellar circuitry. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in Wister rat cerebellar slices, we demonstrated that propofol administration impaired long-term depression from the parallel fiber (PF) to Purkinje cell (PC) synapses (PF-LTD). Also, propofol reduced metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1)-mediated and group I mGluR agonist-induced slow currents in PCs. These results suggest that the propofol-induced PF-LTD impairment may be related to an alteration in mGluR1 signaling, which is essential to motor learning.

[How I manage the child who is not awakening as expected]

Regarding immediate post-anaesthesia problems, one must distinguish slow awakening and the apparition of neurologic or behavioural problems. Post-anaesthesia delirium, an usual cause of transient agitation in the recovery room following halogenated-based anaesthetic, is not included in this discussion. There are two false causes of slow awakening: residual curarization and a total spinal. Slow awakening is usually caused by overdose, either absolute or relative. Regarding the occurrence of neurologic or behavioural problems, one must consider situations at risk, patients at risk, the consequences of iatrogenicity but also the unknown cerebral tumour or metabolic disorder.

Rhythmic movement disorder after general anesthesia

Dystonic movements after general anesthesia are very rare. The differential diagnosis includes adverse drug reaction, local anesthetic reaction, emergence delirium, hysterical response, and shivering. We present a case of a 10-year-old, otherwise healthy girl undergoing outpatient foot surgery. Involuntary jerking movements of her arms and torso every time she would drift off to sleep started about 2.5 hours after emergence from general anesthesia. The patient was easily arousable and absolutely unaware of the movements. These movements lasted for several days before they resolved completely. We believe to present the first case of sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder after general anesthesia, considering the nature of the movements in our patient.

A case of propofol-induced delayed-onset refractory myoclonic seizures

Propofol, a GABA-mediated inhibitor of excitatory neurotransmitter, is a popular intravenous agent for general anesthesia and sedation. Its side effects reportedly include opisthotonus, seizures, and myoclonus, and are usually manageable. We present a patient who developed propofol-induced delayed-onset refractory myoclonic seizures that resisted antiepileptic drugs.