title: Extreme Hyperpyrexia of Uncertain Origin.
abstract: The definition of hyperpyrexia is currently limited to temperatures reaching 106.7°F. A wide range of etiologies have been identified in the literature for an insidious onset of hyperpryexia, however a rapid ascent higher than temperatures of 106.7°F has never been reported nor evaluated. We present the case of a young paraplegic who developed an extreme hyperpyrexia, which to our knowledge is the highest occurring temperature reported in contemporary medical literature. He had a number of medical conditions, none of which are known to produce fever. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Fever, although a common presentation in the ER in the presence of various symptoms and comorbidities can obscure the diagnosis and lead to unwarranted evaluations. As such this patients case identifies a diagnosis of a fatal ascension of fever.
authors.affiliation: Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York.
authors.forename: Nikita T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York.
authors.forename: Yordanos A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Habtegebriel
authors.affiliation: Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, New York.
authors.forename: Dennis A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bloomfield
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: UTI; hyperprexia; malignant hyperthermia; traumatic spinal cord injury