Atypical reaction to anesthesia in Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy

Publication date: Available online 18 July 2017
Source:Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology (English Edition)
Author(s): Helga Cristina Almeida da Silva, Marcia Hiray, Mariz Vainzof, Beny Schmidt, Acary Souza Bulle Oliveira, José Luiz Gomes do Amaral
Background and objectivesDuchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy affects skeletal muscles and leads to progressive muscle weakness and risk of atypical anesthetic reactions following exposure to succinylcholine or halogenated agents. The aim of this report is to describe the investigation and diagnosis of a patient with Becker muscular dystrophy and review the care required in anesthesia.Case reportMale patient, 14 years old, referred for hyperCKemia (chronic increase of serum creatine kinase levels – CK), with CK values of 7779–29,040IUL⁻¹ (normal 174IUL⁻¹). He presented with a discrete delay in motor milestones acquisition (sitting at 9 months, walking at 18 months). He had a history of liver transplantation. In the neurological examination, the patient showed difficulty in walking on one's heels, myopathic sign (hands supported on the thighs to stand), high arched palate, calf hypertrophy, winged scapulae, global muscle hypotonia and arreflexia. Spirometry showed mild restrictive respiratory insufficiency (forced vital capacity: 77% of predicted). The in vitro muscle contracture test in response to halothane and caffeine was normal. Muscular dystrophy analysis by Western blot showed reduced dystrophin (20% of normal) for both antibodies (C and N-terminal), allowing the diagnosis of Becker muscular dystrophy.ConclusionOn preanesthetic assessment, the history of delayed motor development, as well as clinical and/or laboratory signs of myopathy, should encourage neurological evaluation, aiming at diagnosing subclinical myopathies and planning the necessary care to prevent anesthetic complications. Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy, although it does not increase susceptibility to MH, may lead to atypical fatal reactions in anesthesia.



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