Quick Diagnosis: The Key for a Positive Outcome in Malignant Hyperthermia—A Case Report

Abstract

We report a likely case of malignant hyperthermia triggered by sevoflurane in a 15-year-old male during anesthesia for limb disarticulation surgery. Clinical suspicion was raised with the increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) and heart rate after induction of general anesthesia. Quick diagnosis, early intervention and teamwork were essential for the positive outcome of this case, preventing the development of more severe complications such as acute kidney injury (AKI) or rhabdomyolysis. Clinical grading score deem this case “greater than likely” despite a negative genetic test. Other metabolic derangements related with the primary neoplasm cannot be excluded but there are no reports on the literature describing such an exuberant reaction. The authors wish to highlight the need of prompt diagnosis, which requires a high degree of suspicion, in order to deliver a positive outcome.