ISSN:
1432-1459
Keywords:
Botulism
;
Ophthalmoplegia
;
Single-fibre electromyography
;
Jitter
;
Blockings
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A case of complete bilateral internal ophthalmoplegia as the sole clinical sign of botulism is reported. Diagnosis was immediately confirmed by single-fibre electromyography (SFEMG), which revealed abnormally high blocking (14.3%), contrasting with moderately increased jitter (mean consecutive difference in the extensor digitorum communis muscle, 43.9 μs). After giving equine botulinum antitoxin and simultaneous forced emptying of the bowels, ocular symptoms completely disappeared within 2 days. Six days, 5 weeks and 6 months after the first SFEMG study, the jitter was still abnormal, even becoming more so with time. Blocking, however, was only rarely observed in the follow-up studies. It is concluded that SFEMG may serve as a useful and sensitive method for the rapid diagnosis of botulinum intoxication, even in cases where no clinical signs of general muscular weakness are apparent.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00314507
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