[Dantrolene in the treatment of life-threatening psychiatric disease pictures. A contribution to the therapy of the malignant neuroleptic syndrome and acute febrile catatonia].

The malignant neuroleptic syndrome and acute febrile catatonia are life-threatening psychiatric disorders which frequently are treated in intensive care units outside psychiatric departments. Their manifestations are very similar to those of anaesthesia-specific malignant hyperthermia. The three syndromes have in common signs of increased muscle metabolism. Dantrolene, a specific drug in the treatment of malignant hyperthermia, has been used successfully several times recently in the treatment of the malignant neuroleptic syndrome. One such case is reported. In a 23-year-old man with signs of acute febrile catatonia parenteral dantrolene and electroconvulsive shocks succeeded in counteracting the symptoms of the abnormally raised muscle metabolism.