• Jochen Hinkelbein, Armin Kalenka, and Markus Alb.
• 1University Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty for Clinical Medicine Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
• Acta Neuropsychiatr. 2006 Jun 1; 18 (3-4): 168-72.

BackgroundHallervorden-Spatz disease (HSD) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder; the new and preferred name for HSD is 'pantothenate-kinase-associated neurodegeneration' (PKAN). Other suggested names are 'neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation type 1' or 'infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy'. Patients with PKAN have many complications, which lead to numerous anesthetic management challenges. Reports concerning the anesthetic management of patients with PKAN are very limited.ObjectiveTo determine the anesthetic management and techniques as well as relevant complications for patients with PKAN.MethodsIn this study, we review previously published literature regarding the anesthesia-relevant clinical symptoms, the anesthetic management and techniques, and possible complications for this disorder.ResultsOnly four studies describing the anesthetic management and anesthetic techniques in patients with PKAN were found. Anesthesia-relevant symptoms influence the preanesthetic management (eg difficulties in articulation, dementia), the induction of anesthesia (eg oromandibular rigidity, seizures, dysphagia, aspiration) and the postoperative care (eg respiratory disability).ConclusionReports concerning the anesthetic management of patients with PKAN are very limited, possibly as a result of the rareness of the disorder. Like many other patients with neurodegenerative diseases, patients with PKAN have many anesthesia-relevant symptoms, leading to numerous anesthetic management challenges. In general, the anesthetic complications associated with PKAN are usually no different from those associated with other neurodegenerative diseases, and the management of these are usually concordant.

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