Malignant hyperpyrexia: successful management following oral surgery.

Malignant hyperpyrexia (M.H.) is a rare, important and frequently fatal disease provoked by inhalational anaesthetic agents and other drugs. It is manifested most frequently by tachycardia, a rise in core body temperature, muscle stiffness and is associated with profound metabolic effects. It may be transmitted in a predictable familial dominant fashion, but sporadic cases in whom this transference cannot be demonstrated do occur. Susceptibility may be revealed on questioning regarding previous anaesthetic exposure. One such unexpected but successfsully treated case of M.H. is described in detail and the current management and investigation is discussed.