Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a burn patient

A 39 year old white male with a 55% total body surface burn who developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) during his acute course is reported. The patient had several acute sinusitis and septic episodes during his acute course. On postburn day 31, he developed a temperature of 108.4 degrees F (42.4 degrees C). This responded promptly to Dantrolene and Bromocriptene. His recovery was uneventful. NMS is a drug-related response to various medications, such as Haloperidol, which the patient was receiving. NMS must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of fever in burn patients receiving medication known to cause the syndrome.