Citation

Thorley RR, Wertsch JJ, Klingbeil GE. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2001; 82(2): 246-249.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. thorley@mcw.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1053/apmr.2001.18698

PMID

11239318

Abstract

. Acute hypothalamic instability occurs in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). It usually occurs in the form of autonomic dysfunction syndrome (also known as diencephalic seizures or paroxysmal sympathetic storms); however, there are other causes of acute hypothalamic instability of which the clinician must be aware. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, malignant hyperthermia, autonomic dysfunction syndrome, and lethal catatonia are all syndromes that clinically present as signs and symptoms of acute hypothalamic instability. Because of the lethal potential of these syndromes, clinicians who care for patients with TBI must be aware of the various syndromes, their clinical presentation, and their treatment. We present a case of life-threatening acute hypothalamic instability in a patient with TBI.

Language: en