Document Type : Case Report
Authors
Golestan Research Center of Psychiatry (GRCP), Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a critical neurological disorder that may arise following the use of strong psychiatric medications. It encompasses the following symptoms: muscle stiffness, extreme fever (hyperpyrexia), dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, mental disruptions (primarily presenting as delirium), and irregular metabolic alterations. Malignant Catatonia (MC) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by notable psychomotor disruptions. It also includes rising fever, extreme agitation, various catatonic signs, and ultimately stupor and death. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is indeed one of the effective treatments employed for various severe psychiatric conditions, including major depression, mania, and NMS.
Case report: We investigated a 49-year-old male patient diagnosed with delusional disorder, persecutory type, who developed symptoms of both NMS and MC following an increase in his neuroleptic medication dosage and after undergoing 8 sessions of ECT.
Conclusion: Due to the overlapping clinical features of NMS and MC, distinguishing between the two conditions proved challenging. The patient was ultimately managed with intravenous fluid therapy, bromocriptine, and lorazepam. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels normalized within four days, indicating a positive response to treatment.
Highlights
Leila Kashani (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Golnaz Sheykhnazari (Google Scholar) (PubMed)
Keywords
- Antipsychotic Agents
- Catatonia
- Electroconvulsive Therapy
- Nervous System Diseases
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Main Subjects
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