Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in a Patient with Tongue Cancer: A Report of a Rare Case. (18th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baba, Osamu; Yamagata, Kenji; Tomidokoro, Yasushi; Tamaoka, Akira; Itoh, Hiroyuki; Yanagawa, Toru; Onizawa, Kojiro; Bukawa, Hiroki
• Other Names: Landes C. Academic Editor.; Milosevic A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in dentistry. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-06-18
• Subjects: Dentistry -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Oral medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Oral Medicine; Dentistry; Dentistry; Oral medicine; Electronic journals; Periodical; Case studies; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/542130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6447

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-threatening complication of neuroleptic drugs, which are used widely in head and neck cancer (HANC) patients who develop delirium. Methods and Results . Postoperative delirium in a 39-year-old man with tongue cancer was treated with haloperidol and chlorpromazine. Three days after the first administration of antipsychotics, the patient exhibited elevated body temperature, autonomic and extrapyramidal symptoms, and impaired consciousness. A definitive diagnosis was made using the research diagnostic criteria for NMS in the DSM-IV, and the antipsychotics were immediately discontinued. The patient was given dantrolene and bromocriptine to treat the NMS. The patient's hyperthermia, elevated creatinin kinase (CK), and muscle rigidity improved gradually, with all symptoms of NMS resolving completely by 13 days after the diagnosis. Conclusions . HANC surgeons must be alert for early signs of NMS and use antipsychotics conservatively to avoid NMS and its potentially fatal outcome.