Malignant hyperthermia syndrome

Malignant hyperthermia is a pharmacogenetic disease involving uninhibited flow of calcium ion into the muscle substance. This leads to a combined metabolic and respiratory acidosis and the liberation of heat. If not immediately controlled, cellular death results. We treated a 4-year-old girl who suffered a malignant hyperthermia crisis during strabismus surgery. Hyperventilation with 100% oxygen and intravenously administered dantrolene sodium, furosemide, and fluids controlled the attack and the child recovered completely.