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Non-restraining EEG Radiotelemetry: Epidural and Deep Intracerebral Stereotaxic EEG Electrode Placement

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Generalized tonic-clonic activity after remifentanil administration.

G W Haber¹, R S Litman

¹Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA.

Anesthesia and Analgesia

|December 1, 2001

Summary

This study reports seizure-like activity in an adult after remifentanil administration. Opioid use can trigger generalized tonic-clonic seizure-like events, a phenomenon termed "opioid-seizure syndrome."

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Area of Science:

Anesthesiology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology

Background:

Remifentanil is a potent ultra-short-acting opioid analgesic.
Opioid-induced neuroexcitation is a known but rare phenomenon.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are typically associated with epilepsy or other neurological conditions.

Observation:

An adult patient receiving remifentanil experienced seizure-like activity.
The event presented as generalized tonic-clonic seizure-like activity.
This is the first documented instance in an adult patient.

Findings:

Opioid administration, specifically remifentanil, can precipitate seizure-like activity.
The observed activity mimicked generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
This association highlights a potential adverse effect of potent opioids.

Implications:

This report suggests a link between remifentanil and seizure-like events.
The term "opioid-seizure syndrome" is proposed for this reaction.
Clinicians should be aware of this potential opioid-related neurological complication.