Dystonic reaction to a phenothiazine presenting as Bell's palsy.
case_report · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 9250654.
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Abstract
An 11-year-old boy presented to the pediatric ED with signs and symptoms of Bell's palsy, which was believed to be a result of otitis media. He subsequently began to list to the left and could not walk erect. Because of a history of prochlorperazine use for vomiting, a diagnosis of a dystonic reaction to a phenothiazine was made, and the patient was treated with intravenous diphenhydramine. All symptoms resolved, including seventh nerve palsy, within 5 minutes of treatment. Medications are often prescribed by physicians for vomiting without caretakers being aware of the side-effects. Dystonic reactions can be severe and present with myriad neurologic signs and symptoms.
Medical subject headings
- Antiemetics
- Chlorpromazine
- Dystonia