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Failure to Recognize Status Epilepticus in a Paralysed Patient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

R.I. Munn  and
K. Farrell
R.I. Munn*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
K. Farrell*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
*
Neurology Department, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3V4
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Abstract:

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Paralysis induced by neuromuscular blocking agents facilitates ventilation of seriously ill patients but may preclude clinical recognition of seizures. We describe the occurrence of severe cognitive impairment in a 14-year-old girl in whom status epilepticus was recognized only when pancuronium was withdrawn after 14 hours of paralysis. This patient emphasizes a potential danger of paralysis from drugs in patients with acute cerebral dysfunction.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , August 1993 , pp. 234 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1993

References

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