NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life threatening neurologic emergency associated with the use of neuroleptic agents and characterized by a distinctive clinical syndrome of mental status change, rigidity, fever and dysautonomia. This paper will deal with the case of a 40 years old male patient admitted with the complaints of high grade fever for past 3 days along with inability to use all 4 limbs, inability to speak and involuntary micturition and defecation. It is a known case of Schizophrenia and was on anti-psychotics for past 1 year. He was diagnosed with Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and improved with bromocriptine and supportive therapy. This case emphasizes the importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis for fever in the ICU, carefully reviewing the medication list for all patients, and considering NMS in patients with fever and rigidity.