Acute hypothalamic instability in traumatic brain injury: A case report

Acute hypothalamic instability occurs in patients with traumatic brain inju ry (TBI). It usually occurs in the form of autonomic dysfunction syndrome ( also known as diencephalic seizures or paroxysmal sympathetic storms); howe ver, there are other causes of acute hypothalamic instability of which the clinician must be aware. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, malignant hyperthe rmia, autonomic dysfunction syndrome, and lethal catatonia are all syndrome s that clinically present as signs and symptoms of acute hypothalamic insta bility. Because of the lethal potential of these syndromes, clinicians who care for patients with TBI must be aware of the various syndromes, their cl inical presentation, and their treatment. We present a case of life-threate ning acute hypothalamic instability in a patient with TBI.