[A case of bronchospasm during induction of isoflurane anesthesia].

Isoflurane is generally considered to prevent increase in bronchomotor tone. We report a case of bronchospasm associated with exposure to isoflurane. A 11-year-old girl was scheduled for tonsillectomy because of repeated fever. Anesthesia was induced with nitrous oxide, oxygen and sevoflurane. Sevoflurane was switched to isoflurane and increased gradually to 3%. Shortly after inhalation of isoflurane, eruption at chest appeared and auscultation of the chest revealed dry rale. Aminophylline and hydrocortisone were injected and isoflurane was discontinued. Ventilation with sevoflurane was started, but there was no improvement. Intramuscular epinephrine was given and sevoflurane was discontinued. After this, the wheezing improved. Four days later she underwent tonsillectomy under sevoflurane anesthesia uneventfully.