[Myoclonic encephalopathy induced by diclofenac treatment]

Some non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and especially diclofenac, may, in some susceptible patients bring about the appearance of segmentary myoclonic symptoms, which in some cases where there is kidney failure may cause real myoclonic encephalopathy. We present the case of a patient admitted into the nephrology service suffering from prerenal kidney failure as a result of dehydration. Once her kidney problems had been overcome and analytical parameters normalized, during treatment with diclofenac for inflammation of the lower left extremity arthritic in origin, she showed generalized myoclonic symptoms of action and attitude especially in the upper extremities. Neurologic examination showed no abnormalities other than certain drowsiness. General analysis and kidney function were normal, as was brain CT scan, EEG showed only a general tendency towards slowing down. Myoclonic symptoms completely disappeared in the next 24 hours after giving diclofenac up, the patient remaining neurologically asymptomatic and not showing a similar clinical picture in any subsequent check-up.