Anaphylactic Bronchospasm during Induction of General Anaesthesia: A Case Report

Abstract

Bronchospasm represents the clinical manifestation of bronchial muscles contraction resultingin reduced alveolar air flow. Non-allergic mechanisms or anaphylaxis underlie the genesis ofperioperative bronchospasm, a potential anaesthetic disaster. Early recognition and treatmentare crucial. We report a rare incident of anaphylactic bronchospasm without hypotension duringgeneral anaesthesia. Urticaria appeared in chest and abdomen suggesting anaphylaxis. After theevent resolved with bronchodilators, surgery continued uneventfully. Vecuronium was the mostprobable culprit but confirmation was not possible as the patient was lost to follow up. Rarely,perioperative anaphylaxis presents only with bronchospasm that requires prompt attention to avoidadverse outcome.