Malignant or lethal catatonia is a potentially life-threatening condition. It can be confused with neuroleptic malignant syndrome and other disorders causing altered mental status and muscular rigidity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy are essential for patient survival.
Prodromal findings:
(1) labile mood
(2) anorexia
(3) insomnia
Features at onset:
(1) extreme psychotic excitement
(2) motor agitation
(3) disorganized thought processes
Clinical features during course:
(1) fever
(2) altered mental status (ranges from lethargy to stupor and coma)
(3) muscular rigidity with or without rhabdomyolysis
(4) pressured speech
(5) hallucinations and/or delusions
Late features:
(1) exhaustion with or without stupor or coma
(2) cardiovascular collapse
(3) death in severe cases
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
