title: Methyl bromide myoclonus: an electrophysiological study.
abstract: We report a case of myoclonus from overnight exposure to methyl bromide. Myoclonus was either spontaneous or induced by somatosensory stimulation or voluntary movements, multifocal and sometimes generalized. Median SEP showed normal size P14-N20, but giant parietal P25, N33 and frontal P22-N30 waves. Back-averaging showed a biphasic EEG spike of maximal amplitude at the central region contralateral to the corresponding myoclonic jerk recorded from abductor pollicis brevis and preceding it by a short interval consistent with conduction in corticospinal pathways. Long latency reflexes from cutaneous and mixed nerve stimulation were enhanced. The above electrophysiological findings suggest that myoclonus following methyl bromide poisoning belongs to the cortical reflex myoclonus category.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurology and Behavioral Sciences, University of Chieti, Vasto, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uncini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basciani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Muzio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antonini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onofrj
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000633:toxicity*; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C005218:methyl bromide