title: [Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a life-threatening complication that can be treated effectively].
abstract: Two patients with the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a man aged 31 years and a woman aged 83 years, were referred for electroconvulsive therapy after 70 and 7 days, respectively. Both patients benefited from the treatment, but the patient who had had the syndrome longer had persistent contractures. NMS is potentially lethal. Diagnosis and treatment should be done as soon as possible to prevent mortality and complications. Admission to a general hospital and early consultation of NMS-experienced colleagues is strongly advised. Electroconvulsive therapy is indicated ifa trial course of lorazepam yields insufficient improvement.
authors.affiliation: Alysis Zorggroep, locatie Rijnstate, afd. Psychiatrie, Postbus 9555, 6800 TA Arnhem. jvanwaarde@alysis.nl
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Waarde
authors.forename: M E T M
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Verweg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008140:Lorazepam