The neuroleptic malignant syndrome – a practical challenge for every practitioner
The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) refers to a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of the use of antipsychotic drugs, even with the newer atypical neuroleptics, that can develop with hyperthermia, rigidity and autonomic dysregulation. Even if some risk factors have been describe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Amaltea Medical Publishing House
2011-06-01
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| Series: | Romanian Journal of Neurology |
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| Online Access: | https://rjn.com.ro/articles/2011.2/RJN_2011_2_Art-08.pdf |
| Summary: | The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) refers to a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of the use of antipsychotic drugs, even with the newer atypical neuroleptics, that can develop with hyperthermia, rigidity and autonomic dysregulation. Even if some risk factors have been described, its actual pathophysiology remains unclear. The diagnosis represents a real challenge for every practitioner, irrespective of the medical specialty where the first presentation occurs. NMS as a whole is far from being elucidated since the manifestations are nonspecific, with atypical variants being more and more frequent and changing the overall NMS picture, the clinical course is so unpredictable, sometimes fatal, and it still represents a therapeutic dilemma which underlies its dim prognosis. This article presents 3 cases that question the classical picture of NMS, trying to broaden our understanding of this largely undefined syndrome. |
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| ISSN: | 1843-8148 2069-6094 |