PurposeThe present visual and electromyographic study was designed to evaluate muscle fasciculations caused by succinylcholine in adults pretreated with either remifentanil 1.5 µg/kg or saline.Materials and MethodsThe effect of remifentanil on succinylcholine-induced muscle fasciculations was studied using a double-blind method in 40 adults. After i.v. pretreatment with either remifentanil 1.5 µg/kg (remifentanil group, n = 20) or an equivalent volume of i.v. saline (saline group, n = 20), patients were anaesthetized with a 2.0 mg/kg of i.v. propofol followed by i.v. succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg. Intensity and duration of muscle fasciculation following i.v. succinylcholine administration were recorded. Electromyography (EMG) was used to quantify the extent of muscle fasciculation following i.v. succinylcholine injection. Myalgia was evaluated 24 hours after induction time. Serum potassium levels were measured five minutes after i.v. succinylcholine administration and creatine kinase (CK) levels 24 hours after induction time.ResultsCompared to saline treated controls, remifentanil decreased the intensity of muscle fasciculations caused by i.v. succinylcholine [fasciculation severity scores (grade 0 to 3) were 2/1/12/5 and 3/13/4/0 (patients numbers) in the saline group and the remifentanil group, respectively, p < 0.001]. The mean (SD) maximum amplitude of muscle action potential (MAP) by EMG was smaller in the remifentanil group [283.0 (74.4) µV] than in the saline group [1480.4 (161.3) µV] (p = 0.003). Postoperative serum CK levels were lower in the remifentanil group (p < 0.001). Postoperative myalgia was not different between the two groups.ConclusionRemifentanil 1.5 µg/kg attenuated intensity of muscle fasciculations by succinylcholine.
Although Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare disease that is generally associated with vasculitis, nerve involvement is also common in cases of CSS. A 48-year old man was diagnosed with a herniated disc at L4-5 and an annular tear at L5-S1 after complaining of pain and numbness in the left lower leg. Peripheral edema was observed during physical examination and the patient was diagnosed with CSS after a biopsy was conducted. In addition, electromyography and nerve conduction velocity revealed the presence of multiplex mononeuropathy, which indicated the pain and numbness was due to peripheral neuropathy caused by CSS. The symptoms were relieved after oral administration of prednisolone. This case indicates that when symptoms of peripheral neuropathy do not match the radiographic evidence other causes, such as CSS, must be considered.
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