Suspected malignant hyperthermia in a strabismus patient. A case report

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Genetics
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant disorder linked to sarcolemma defects.
• It presents with variable expressivity and can be triggered by specific anesthetic agents.

Observation:

• A patient with strabismus (esotropia) experienced tachycardia and masseter rigidity upon exposure to succinylcholine chloride and halothane.
• The patient's condition was rapidly identified, and the procedure was halted, preventing malignant hyperthermia complications.

Findings:

• Serum creatine phosphokinase levels were significantly elevated, indicating muscle damage.
• The patient later underwent successful strabismus correction under anesthesia with morphine sulfate and thiopental sodium without adverse events.

Implications:

• Malignant hyperthermia is increasingly recognized in patients with strabismus and ptosis.
• Ophthalmologists must be aware of this condition as certain local anesthetics used in eye procedures can trigger it.