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Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a patient with head injury

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Abstract

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an idiosyncratic reaction associated with the use of neuroleptic drugs. We report a case of this rare syndrome in a head injury patient associated with some unusual features: rhabdomyolysis with a high level of creatine kinase, the development of acute renal failure, the early use of continuous venovenous haemofiltration in treatment and rigidity that was refractory to conventional treatment with dantrolene and bromocriptine. The diagnosis in patients with multiple injuries must be based on a high index of suspicion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Intensive Care Medicine Department, University Hospital “12 Octubre”, CTRA de Andalucia KM 5,4, 28041, Madrid, Spain

    J. L. Perez-Vela, M. Sanchez Casado, J. A. Sanchez-Izquierdo Riera, A. Ambros Checa, R. Caballero Cubedo & E. Alted Lopez

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  1. J. L. Perez-Vela
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  2. M. Sanchez Casado
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  3. J. A. Sanchez-Izquierdo Riera
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  4. A. Ambros Checa
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  5. R. Caballero Cubedo
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  6. E. Alted Lopez
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Perez-Vela, J.L., Casado, M.S., Sanchez-Izquierdo Riera, J.A. et al. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a patient with head injury. Intensive Care Med 22, 593–595 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708104

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01708104

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