Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a case report

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a controversial, relatively rare and potentially fatal drug side effect which occurs with the use of neuroleptics and other drugs that adversely affect the dopamine system. To our knowledge there has been no previous report on NMS from Ethiopia. We present a case here and stress the need for early detection of this potentially fatal condition. The case is a 14 year old manic patient who while under inpatient treatment at Amanuel Hospital between November 19, 1997 and February 13, 1998 exhibited fever, muscular rigidity, autonomic instability and some laboratory evidences of muscular destruction which are said to be typical features of NMS. The patient was receiving chlorpromazine until four days prior to the onset of the symptoms when haloperidol was added. There was no other physical condition by which these clinical features could be explained. The symptoms resolved within 2 weeks by simple drug withdrawal and supportive treatment.