Prevention of an acute severe exacerbation of Stiff-person syndrome during surgery.

STIFF-PERSON syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune central nervous system disorder characterized by fluctuating rigidity and paroxysmal painful spasms of axial and/or limb muscles, due to spinal cord hyperexcitability. Exacerbations of SPS can be triggered by abrupt tactile or auditory stimulation, movement, and stress or surgery. We present a case of a woman with SPS who had an acute exacerbation during surgery, and we describe prophylactic measures taken that prevented an acute severe exacerbation of SPS during a subsequent procedure.