REFRACTORY DYSTONIA DURING PROPOFOL ANESTHESIA IN A PATIENT WITH TORTICOLLIS-DYSTONIA DISORDER

Purpose: To report a case of refractory dystonia under propofol anaest hesia in a patient with Torticollis-Dystonia disorder. Clinical featur es: A 38-yr-old man presented for an MRI scan for investigation of a T orticollis-Dystonia disorder. There was a biphasic response to propofo l with complete amelioration or the torticollis and limb dystonia init ially with subsequent recurrence under deep propofol anaesthesia. Coad ministration of midazolam, diazepam, and thiopentone were not successf ul in abolishing the recurrent dystonia. Conclusions: Propofol should preferably be avoided in patients with torticollis and dystonias. Wher e complete control of movements is required, it may be necessary to co nsider general endotracheal anaesthesia with muscle relaxants.