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http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl New Mast Cell Research, Studies, and Trials >> New Mast Cell Research, Studies, and Trials >> A rare cause of loss of consciousness: mastocytosis. Apropos of 3 cases http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1294290377 Message started by Riverwn on 01/05/11 at 17:06:17

Title: A rare cause of loss of consciousness: mastocytosis. Apropos of 3 cases
Post by Riverwn on 01/05/11 at 17:06:17

Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 1993 Dec;86(12):1747-52.
[A rare cause of loss of consciousness: mastocytosis. Apropos of 3 cases].

[Article in French]

Dacosta A, Guy JM, Cathebras P, Perrot JL, Decousus H, Tardy B, Gonthier R, Lamaud M, Rousset H, Verneyre H.

Service de cardiologie, Hôpital Nord, Saint-Priest-en-Jarez.
Abstract

The authors report three cases of syncope due to systemic mastocytosis. This is a rare cause of syncope but should be recalled in certain circumstances. In the light of these cases, the authors review the literature with respect to this unusual presentation. Syncope may occur at any age. Loss of consciousness may be more or less complete, brief or prolonged, isolated or recurrent and usually accompanied by prodromal symptoms. The least controversial physiopathogenic mechanism of these syncopes is intense vasoplegia induced by the release of vasoactive mediators, especially histamine. When there is a clinical suspicion of mastocytosis, even in the absence of skin changes, the diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy which shows abnormally high numbers of mastocytes irrespective of the organ biopsied. The treatment of acute forms with collapse is based on intravenous infusion of macromolecular fluids and injections of epinephrine. Prevention is by drugs which inhibit the synthesis of histamine, the degranulation of mastocytes and the production of prostaglandin D2.

PMID: 8024376 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8024376

Title: Re: A rare cause of loss of consciousness: mastocytosis. Apropos of 3 cases
Post by jbean on 05/08/11 at 10:01:17

I think this is my variety!

Title: Re: A rare cause of loss of consciousness: mastocytosis. Apropos of 3 cases
Post by Lisa on 05/14/11 at 04:23:26

Mona, Dear, you've found my case!!!

This is what I go through. This is the very reaction which forced me to study so hard in order to find my answers! This is the prolonged syncope reaction. It's caused by intense vasoplegia which is a reaction created by the inflammatory mediators due to the mast cells. This is what my doctors saw me going through for hours on end which they could not understand since it's such an unusual kind of reaction.

This article was performed by cardiologists and not neurologists and they don't yet understand all of the neurological issues involved here. This is a very, very rare reaction amongst masto patients and it can cause us to be semi-conscious or totally unconscious. We can be out for as little as 15 minutes or much, much longer. I spoke with one patient who was seen out for 8 hours following surgery. I've been out as long as 6 following contrast injection!

I wish I could get someone to study my reaction further for I want more ANSWERS!!

Now, how to deal with it, is also an issue and my doctors haven't learned this one yet!

Oh well! :-/

Title: Re: A rare cause of loss of consciousness: mastocytosis. Apropos of 3 cases
Post by Lisa on 05/14/11 at 04:25:47

For those of us with syncope as a reaction, if your form of masto has not yet been pinpointed and your tryptase levels are not high, this may be due to your having MMAS - monoclonal MCAD. This is one of the aspects of the MMAS diagnosis in that this group of patients undergoes severe cardiovascular symptoms and syncope is considered a severe cardiovascular symptom.

If you need help with this, please just PM me and I will give you all the information I can on it as well as what my doctors have done to investigate this. It's not an easy road!

Lisa