[Mastocytosis. A challenge in anaesthesiology]

Mastocytosis is a general term for a heterogeneous group of rare disorders. Many agents used in anaesthesia can trigger mast cell degranulation with release of histamine, prostaglandin, tryptase and heparin. Therefore, patients with mastocytosis are high-risk patients when undergoing anaesthesia. The management of these patients in anaesthesia will be discussed on the basis of the literature and illustrated with the discussion of three case reports. A premedication with antihistamines and a glucocorticoid is recommended. For induction of general anaesthesia propofol, etomidate, ketamine, a fentanyl-type opioid, cis-atracurium or pancuronium are recommended. Anaesthesia can be maintained either by a total intravenous technique or with a volatile anaesthetic such as sevoflurane.