Acute onset Lance-Adams syndrome following brief exposure to severe hypoxia without cardiac arrest -a case report-

Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013 Oct;65(4):341-4. doi: 10.4097/kjae.2013.65.4.341. Epub 2013 Oct 24.

Abstract

Myoclonic status epilepticus (MSE) within the first 24 hours after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) predicts poor prognosis, enough to discontinue the treatment. In contrast, chronic MSE appearing a few days after CPR is called Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS), which is characterized by preserved intellect and a favorable prognosis. We herein report a case of LAS, which developed after a transient hypoxic event without an overt cardiac arrest due to hematoma formation in the neck after partial glossectomy. Differential diagnosis was also challenging as LAS was developed 8 hours after the hypoxic event.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Hypoxic brain damage; Myoclonus; Respiratory insufficiency; Status epilepticus.