Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Case Aimed at Raising Clinical Awareness

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

A 60-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder on risperidone, bupropion, and escitalopram was admitted for community acquired streptococcal pneumonia. Four days later, he developed persistent hyperthermia, dysautonomia, rigidity, hyporeflexia, and marked elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase. He was diagnosed with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and improved with dantrolene, 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.

This case highlights the importance of considering neuroleptic malignant syndrome in the differential diagnosis for ICU patients presenting with fever and rigidity.