[The application of electroconvulsive therapy in neuroleptic malignant syndrome treatment in patient with catatonic schizophrenia].

The above article presents a case report of a 28-year-old patient, primarily treated with a diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia, in who in the course of hospitalization developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). The patient presented unawareness, hyperthermia, respiratory insufficiency, muscle rigidity, CK increased activity. The patient required tracheotomy and oxygen therapy and then was subjected to a series of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Since the fifth ECT treatment we noted a gradual recovery to a completely normal mental status. We did not make an attempt to introduce neuroleptic maintenance treatment.