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Methyl bromide myoclonus: an electrophysiological study
Author(s) -
Uncini A.,
Basciani M.,
Muzio A.,
Antonini D.,
Onofrj M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1990.tb00953.x
Subject(s) - myoclonus , somatosensory evoked potential , electrophysiology , progressive myoclonus epilepsy , reflex , somatosensory system , neuroscience , anesthesia , stimulation , psychology , electroencephalography , electromyography , medicine , audiology
We report a case of myoclonus from overnight exposure to methyl bromide. Myoclonus was either spontaneous or induced by somatosensory stimulation or voluntary movements, multifocal and sometimes generalized. Median SEP showed normal size P14‐N20, but giant parietal P25, N33 and frontal P22‐N30 waves. Back‐averaging showed a biphasic EEG spike of maximal amplitude at the central region contralateral to the corresponding myoclonic jerk recorded from abductor pollicis brevis and preceding it by a short interval consistent with conduction in corticospinal pathways. Long latency reflexes from cutaneous and mixed nerve stimulation were enhanced. The above electrophysiological findings suggest that myoclonus following methyl bromide poisoning belongs to the cortical reflex myoclonus category.