Title: Spinal muscular atrophy
An anesthesiologist was about to provide anesthesia care for a baby with spinal muscle atrophy (SMA), and called the MH Hotline to see if inhalation agents were safe in a patient with SMA. My response was that I was not aware of an association of SMA with MH, and I knew of no other reason to avoid inhalational anesthetic agents.
Question 1. What diseases are associated with MH?
A. King-Denborough Syndrome
B. Central Core Disease
C. Minicore myopathy
D. All of the above
Question 2. Patients with spinal muscle atrophy can safely be anesthetised with general (inhalational) or regional anesthesia.
A. True
B. False
Question 3. What associated findings may be seen in the SMA patient that would influence your anesthetic plan?
A. Congenital heart abnormalities
B. Dysphagia
C. limited jaw opening
D. Respiratory compromise
E. All of the above
Question 4. Is Muscular Dystrophy associated with MH?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Probably not
Question 5. Should succinylcholine and inhalation agents be avoided in patients with Muscular Dystrophy?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Probably
