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VOLUME 20 , ISSUE 8 ( 2016 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Volatile anesthetic for the control of posthypoxic refractory myoclonic status

Vivek Rayadurg, Umamaheshwara Rao

Keywords : Hypoxia, isoflurane, Lance-Adams syndrome, myoclonus, refractory status epilepticus

Citation Information : Rayadurg V, Rao U. Volatile anesthetic for the control of posthypoxic refractory myoclonic status. Indian J Crit Care Med 2016; 20 (8):485-488.

DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.188208

License: CC BY-ND 3.0

Published Online: 01-03-2014

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2016; The Author(s).


Abstract

Posthypoxic myoclonus (Lance-Adams syndrome) is characterized by myoclonus involving multiple muscle groups which is resistant to most conventional antiepileptic drugs. We present a case of hypoxic brain injury-induced myoclonic status epilepticus successfully controlled with isoflurane. The antimyoclonic effects of isoflurane are likely due to potentiation of inhibitory postsynaptic GABA A receptor-mediated currents and its effects on thalamocortical pathways. It is effective even when intravenous agents fail to control myoclonus. It may be a useful alternative to intravenous anesthetics as a third tier therapy in patients with refractory status myoclonus.

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