Myoclonus with electrocerebral silence in a patient receiving penicillin. 1979

J C Sackellares, and D B Smith

Multifocal myoclonus is a well-recognized complication of high doses of penicillin. In man, the site of origin of penicillin-induced myoclonus has not been clearly established, but there is evidence from animal studies that it may originate at a cortical, subcoritcal, or spinal level. We report a case of multifocal myoclonus occurring in a patient receiving large doses of penicillin. The myoclonus appeared when there was no clinical or EEG evidence of upper brain stem or cerebral function. The observations reported suggest that penicillin-induced myoclonus may occur in man and may originate at a caudal brain stem or spinal level.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009207 Myoclonus Involuntary shock-like contractions, irregular in rhythm and amplitude, followed by relaxation, of a muscle or a group of muscles. This condition may be a feature of some CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; (e.g., EPILEPSY, MYOCLONIC). Nocturnal myoclonus is the principal feature of the NOCTURNAL MYOCLONUS SYNDROME. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp102-3). Myoclonus, Action,Myoclonus, Nocturnal,Myoclonus, Palatal,Polymyoclonus,Myoclonic Jerk,Myoclonic Jerking,Myoclonus Simplex,Myoclonus, Eyelid,Myoclonus, Intention,Myoclonus, Lower Extremity,Myoclonus, Oculopalatal,Myoclonus, Segmental,Myoclonus, Sleep,Myoclonus, Upper Extremity,Action Myoclonus,Extremity Myoclonus, Lower,Extremity Myoclonus, Upper,Eyelid Myoclonus,Intention Myoclonus,Jerk, Myoclonic,Jerking, Myoclonic,Jerks, Myoclonic,Lower Extremity Myoclonus,Myoclonic Jerks,Nocturnal Myoclonus,Oculopalatal Myoclonus,Palatal Myoclonus,Segmental Myoclonus,Simplex, Myoclonus,Sleep Myoclonus,Upper Extremity Myoclonus
D010400 Penicillin G A penicillin derivative commonly used in the form of its sodium or potassium salts in the treatment of a variety of infections. It is effective against most gram-positive bacteria and against gram-negative cocci. It has also been used as an experimental convulsant because of its actions on GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID mediated synaptic transmission. Benzylpenicillin,Benpen,Benzylpenicillin Potassium,Coliriocilina,Crystapen,Or-pen,Parcillin,Pekamin,Pengesod,Penibiot,Penicilina G Llorente,Penicillin G Jenapharm,Penicillin G Potassium,Penicillin G Sodium,Penicillin GrĂ¼nenthal,Penilevel,Peniroger,Pfizerpen,Sodiopen,Sodipen,Sodium Benzylpenicillin,Sodium Penicillin,Unicilina,Ursopen,Van-Pen-G
D001926 Brain Death A state of prolonged irreversible cessation of all brain activity, including lower brain stem function with the complete absence of voluntary movements, responses to stimuli, brain stem reflexes, and spontaneous respirations. Reversible conditions which mimic this clinical state (e.g., sedative overdose, hypothermia, etc.) are excluded prior to making the determination of brain death. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp348-9) Brain Dead,Coma Depasse,Irreversible Coma,Brain Deads,Coma, Irreversible,Death, Brain
D004569 Electroencephalography Recording of electric currents developed in the brain by means of electrodes applied to the scalp, to the surface of the brain, or placed within the substance of the brain. EEG,Electroencephalogram,Electroencephalograms
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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