title: Differential diagnosis of MH.
abstract: The clinical diagnosis of Malignant Hyperthermia, especially when made early in the course of the crisis, can be difficult as the symptoms are nonspecific at this stage. Furthermore, some other conditions can mimic Malignant Hyperthermia to a certain extent. Several patients who were referred to our institution because of a clinical suspicion of Malignant Hyperthermia but proved to be non-susceptible by in-vitro contracture testing are presented. These cases illustrate the most common differential diagnostic problems that are encountered and emphasize the particular value of the in-vitro contracture test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heytens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009119:Muscle Contraction
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics