Malignant hyperthermia: the clinical syndrome

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) reactions can be classified into four categories: the fulminant form, the abortive MH, the masseter spasm and atypical presentations. The latter group includes syndromes such as hyperthermia and heat strokes, sudden death and the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The different signs and symptoms of each category are recalled thus offering criteria for the differential diagnosis with other clinical entities.