A Case Report of Malignant Hyperthermia in a Dental Clinic Operating Room

Note: You will need to copy and paste the URL in a browser window to view the abstract online. A subscription is required to view the full text or it can be purchased online.

http://www.anesthesiaprogress.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.2344%2F0003-3006%282005%2952%5B24%3AACROMH%5D2.0.CO%3B2

A Case Report of Malignant Hyperthermia in a Dental Clinic Operating Room
Anesthesia Progress
Volume 52, Issue 1 (Spring 2005)

M. Cynthia Fukami, DMD, MS* and Steven I. Ganzberg, DMD, MS*,‹
* Department of Dentistry, Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, and
‹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio

A healthy 5-year-old boy presented for arch bar placement under general anesthesia in an operating room in a dental school. The patient had previously undergone general anesthesia without complication, and no family history of anesthetic problems were reported. Halothane mask induction, intravenous catheter placement, and nasal intubation proceeded uneventfully without the aid of a muscle relaxant. Halfway through the procedure, signs and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia, including muscle rigidity, hypercarbia, tachypnea, and tachycardia were noted. Immediate treatment, including discontinuation of the triggering agent, dantrolene administration, and cooling measures were applied, and once stable, the child was transferred to Columbus Children's Hospital for further management. The patient experienced no postoperative complications. Further discussion regarding the pathophysiology and management of malignant hyperthermia is provided.

Keywords: General anesthesia, Malignant hyperthermia, Dantrolene

Received: June 14, 2004; Accepted: September 29, 2004

DOI: 10.2344/0003-3006(2005)52[24:ACROMH]2.0.CO;2

*Address correspondence to Dr M. Cynthia Fukami, Department of Dentistry, Columbus Children's Hospital, 770 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205; fukamic@chi.osu.edu.

© 2007 The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology