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Benign fasciculations responsive to gabapentin
Cassiano Mateus Forcelini1, Francisco Tellechea Rotta, Naiana Posenato
1Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rua Paissandu 1644/302, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. cassianoforcelini@brturbo.com.br
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|December 21, 2007
Summary
Benign fasciculation syndrome, characterized by muscle twitches, can persist despite treating hyperthyroidism. Gabapentin effectively managed chronic fasciculations in a long-term case, highlighting the need for ongoing patient monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Fasciculations, or muscle twitches, manifest across a spectrum of conditions, from benign occurrences to severe motor neuron diseases.
- Benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) is a primary condition characterized by persistent, widespread fasciculations without significant neurological deficits.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old woman presented with three decades of fasciculations.
- Her fasciculations persisted even after her hyperthyroidism was successfully treated.
Findings:
- Gabapentin was introduced and effectively controlled the patient's chronic fasciculations.
- Literature review indicates various therapeutic approaches for fasciculations, with gabapentin showing promise in refractory cases.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential chronicity of BFS and the challenges in its management.
- The rare, yet documented, progression from benign fasciculations to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis necessitates long-term clinical surveillance of affected individuals.
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