Status asthmaticus. Acute myopathy induced by cortisone and neuropathy during resuscitation
De Smet, Y.
Revue Neurologique (Paris) 149(10): 573-576
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-3787 PMID: 8023076 Document Number: 411508
A female patient treated by mechanical ventilation with high doses of pancuronium and methylprednisolone for status asthmaticus presented with acute total areflexic and severe amyotrophic tetraplegia; she died after multiple organ failure. Muscle biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of "acute corticosteroid myopathy", precipitated by a corticosteroid "disuse hypersensitivity" after pancuronium. The electromyogram showed a critical illness polyneuropathy, secondary to multiple organ failure. Nerve biopsy was normal. The respective parts played by corticosteroids, curare-like derivatives and intensive care in the genesis of unexplained difficulty in weaning from the ventilator are discussed.