Open AccessThe diagnostic dilemma of intraoperative hyperpyrexia in a malaria endemic area
Author(s) -
Amanor-Boadu Sd,
Areej A. Mohammed
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
west african journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0189-160X
DOI - 10.4314/wajm.v22i1.27991
Subject(s) - medicine , malaria , malignant hyperthermia , asymptomatic , confusion , general anaesthesia , complication , anesthesia , hyperthermia , dilemma , intensive care medicine , surgery , pathology , psychology , psychoanalysis , philosophy , epistemology
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a serious and feared complication of general anaesthesia. The diagnosis of MH may pose a diagnostic dilemma, as its two most common signs tachycardia and hyperthermia are also common features of infections, transfusion and drug reactions. We report three cases of hyperthermia occurring during anaesthesia posing diagnostic dilemma in which two of the cases appear to be due to malaria. It is therefore suggested that all patients undergoing anaesthesia in a malaria endemic area should be investigated and treated for malaria if indicated preoperatively even when asymptomatic to prevent such diagnostic confusion.