Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Looked at from the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in a General Hospital Setting | Chapter 12 | Emerging Research in Medical Sciences Vol. 3
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a
rare life-threatening condition, usually induced by typical and atypical
antipsychotics. A middle-aged woman with bipolar disorder and acute back pain
due to multiple falls was admitted to the trauma ward of a general hospital. After
3 days, she suddenly developed signs and symptoms of neuroleptic malignant
syndrome possibly caused by injectable haloperidol given intramuscularly as
“pro re nata” (as the medication needed), although the additional role of
olanzapine could not be ruled out. A 3-day delayed diagnosis of neuroleptic
malignant syndrome led to serious complications, which could be prevented by
its prompt management contingent on its early diagnosis, even in the absence of
certain diagnostic criteria. Although she improved substantially with treatment
interventions and continued to have dialysis, she died later due to renal
complications. The mental health professionals must avoid administering
antipsychotic medications as needed among such vulnerable psychiatric patients admitted
to general hospitals across the board.
Author(s) Details
Naseem Akhtar Qureshi
National Center for
Promotion of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
Abdulhameed Abdullah
Al-Habeeb
National Center for
Promotion of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
Comments
Post a Comment