Hemiplegia following general anaesthesia: an unusual presentation of migraine.
We report the case of a 33-year-old woman who developed a dense hemiplegia immediately after an uncomplicated general anaesthetic for diagnostic laparoscopy. She had a history of recurrent hemiplegic migraine with a strong family history. Her migraine was normally associated with visual disturbances and a unilateral headache followed by a left-sided weakness such that she was unable to walk. Symptoms would last up to 24 h. Her post-operative state was atypical of her normal migraine, in that she had no headache or visual disturbance and initially all four limbs were affected.
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.
J A
JA
Thurlow
D000328:Adult; D015760:Alfentanil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012008:Recurrence; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D015760:Alfentanil; D015742:Propofol