title: Paroxysmal sympathetic storm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paroxysmal sympathetic storm (PSS) is a rare syndrome characterized by episodic hypertension, hyperhydrosis, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and extensor posturing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article describes two cases of PSS: one following traumatic brain injury and the other following cardiac arrest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first responded to labetalol, morphine, and codeine, whereas the second responded to labetalol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observations underscore the importance of central opioid receptors and nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonists in modulating catecholamine pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: R Charlie
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Callison
authors.forename: Jahansouz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shokri
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cruz-Flores
authors.forename: Laurence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kinsella
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D007741:Labetalol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D007741:Labetalol