Propriospinal Myoclonus in a Patient with Thoracic Disc Protrusion While Awaking from General Anesthesia: A Case Report

Abstract

Propriospinal myoclonus (PSM) is a rare clinical phenomenon that is mostly idiopathic but may be secondary to a spinal lesion. A patient who experienced PSM while awaking from general anesthesia, and who had thoracic disc protrusion, was presented. A 32-year-old male patient was taken to the dental procedure under general anesthesia. Arrhythmic flexion of the axial muscles was observed one to two times per second during and after the awaking phase. And neck flexion accompanied these movements about every ten seconds. The abnormal movements were decreased in amplitude and frequency and resolved spontaneously in about an hour. His examination and blood tests were normal, including infections. Thoracal magnetic resonance imaging with contrast agent showed left paramedian disc protrusion at the T7-T8 level. It should be kept in mind that these types of abnormal movements can be seen after anesthesia. When this is the case, structural lesions such as thoracic disc herniation should be eliminated.

Keywords

• propriospinal myoclonus
• thoracic disc protrusion
• general anesthesia
• case report