Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T07:06:27.317Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Fatal Recurrence of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Anthony McCarthy*
Affiliation:
Formerly at Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, currently at St Vincent's Hospital
Stephen Bourke
Affiliation:
St Vincent's Hospital
J. Fahy
Affiliation:
Medical SHO, St Vincent's Hospital
Irene Binchy
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre
M. X. Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
St Vincent's Hospital
*
St Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4

Abstract

The clinical features of a fatal case of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome are presented. The fatal episode was a recurrence of the syndrome after a milder episode 3 months earlier. Prescription of neuroleptics was continued unchanged following the latter, as a correct diagnosis was not made at the time. The case emphasises the importance of early recognition of the syndrome and the possibility of spontaneous remission of symptoms despite continued neuroleptic treatment.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abbot, R. J. & Loizou, L. A. (1986) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 4751.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caroff, S. N. (1980) The neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 41, 7983.Google ScholarPubMed
Gibb, W. R. G. & Lees, A. J. (1985) The neuroleptic malignant syndrome – a review. A Quarterly Journal of Medicine, 56, 421429.Google ScholarPubMed
Levenson, J. L. (1985) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 11371145.Google ScholarPubMed
Mueller, P. S., Vester, J. W. & Fermaglich, J. (1983) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome; successful treatment with bromocryptine. Journal of the American Medical Association, 249, 396–388.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.