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Muscle Cramps (muscle + cramp)
Selected AbstractsCarnitine Palmityltransferase II (CPT2) Deficiency and Migraine Headache: Two Case ReportsHEADACHE, Issue 5 2003Marielle A. Kabbouche MD Background.,Migraine headache is common and has multiple etiologies. A number of mitochondrial anomalies have been described for migraine, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated as one potential pathophysiological mechanism. Carnitine is used by mitochondria for fatty acid transportation; its deficiency, however, has not been implicated in migraine pathophysiology. Methods and Results.,Two adolescent girls presented to the Headache Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center with frequent headaches and were diagnosed with migraine by the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. Both girls had a history of recurrent fatigue, muscle cramps, and multiple side effects from their prophylactic treatment. Carnitine levels were measured and found to be low. Carnitine supplementation was initiated. Both patients had a reduction in headache frequency, as well as an improvement in their associated symptoms and other complaints. A skin and muscle biopsy obtained from one patient revealed a partial carnitine palmityltransferase II deficiency in the muscle only. Conclusion.,Carnitine palmityltransferase II deficiency may represent another etiology for migraine headache, and may be useful in further defining the pathophysiology of migraine. When properly recognized, supplementation with carnitine may improve the outcome of the migraine as well as the carnitine-associated symptoms. [source] Prevention of hemodialysis-related muscle cramps by intradialytic use of sequential compression devices: A report of four casesHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2004Muhammad Ahsan Background:, Hemodialysis (HD)-related lower extremity (LE) muscle cramps are a common cause of morbidity in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance HD. Numerous pharmacologic and physical measures have been tried with variable success rates. Methods:, Sequential compression devices (SCD) improve venous return (VR) and are commonly used to prevent LE deep venous thrombosis in hospitals. We hypothesized that LE cramps are triggered by stagnant venous flow during HD and are preventable by improving VR. We prospectively studied four adult patients (mean age 61 ± 14 years) on thrice-weekly HD who experienced two or more episodes of LE cramping weekly in the month before the study. SCD were applied before each HD on both legs and compressions were intermittently applied at 40 mmHg during treatment. Results:, All four patients reported complete resolution of cramping during the study period that lasted 1 month or 12 consecutive dialysis treatments. Conclusion:, Application of SCD to LE may prevent the generation of LE HD-related cramping in a select group of patients. Larger, controlled studies are needed to establish the utility of this noninvasive alternative for the prevention of LE HD-related cramps. [source] Increased risk of citrate reactions in patients with multiple myeloma during peripheral blood stem cell leukapheresisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 4 2010Jill Adamski Abstract The citrate based anticoagulant ACD is commonly used in apheresis procedures. Due to its ability to decrease ionized calcium, citrate may cause unpleasant symptoms, such as paresthesias and muscle cramps, in patients undergoing therapeutic and donor apheresis. We noticed that patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing autologous stem cell leukapheresis appeared to have more citrate reactions when compared to other patients undergoing the same procedure. A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate 139 (of 151) consecutive patients with MM, amyloidosis, hematological and solid malignancies who had autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection between January 2007 and February 2008. Citrate reactions, ranging from mild (e.g., perioral tingling and parasthesias) to severe (e.g., nausea/vomiting and muscle cramps) were noted for 35 patients. Twenty-three of 63 patients with MM had documented citrate reactions, which was significantly higher than those with other hematological and solid malignancies (37% vs. 20%; P < 0.05, Relative Risk (RR) = 1.9). The severities of citrate reactions were the same in both groups; approximately 50% of patients in each group received i.v. calcium gluconate for treatment of hypocalcemia. No correlation between bisphosphonate therapy and citrate reactions were noted in our study group. Examination of available laboratory values related to calcium homeostasis, liver, and renal function failed to reveal a mechanism for the increase in citrate reactions observed. In summary, this single institution retrospective study indicates that patients with MM are more sensitive to citrate-induced hypocalcemia during leukapheresis when compared to patients with other hematological and solid malignancies. Strategies for decreasing citrate reactions (e.g., supplemental calcium and slowing return rates) should be considered for patient safety and comfort, especially in the MM population, on a prophylactic rather than reactive basis. J. Clin. Apheresis 25:188,194, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Endotoxin-like reaction following once-daily gentamicinACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2009E. E. ALY An endotoxin-like reaction is a host response to an agent that induces the release of endogenous pyrogens, including cytokines. The typical reaction that is associated with gentamicin is fever and chills, rigor, shivering, tachycardia with hypertension or hypotension, respiratory symptoms and muscle cramps. We report a case of a 92-year-old patient who developed an endotoxin-like reaction in the post-operative recovery unit following 200 mg of gentamicin. The reported side effect is not included in the drug sheet or in the British National Formulary. No similar incidents were reported in the UK. We discuss the clinical picture of this rare event, along with a review of the literature and recommendations. [source] |