Hyperpyrexia due to meningococcal septicaemia treated with cold peritoneal lavage.

An 18 year old male presented with fulminant meningococcal septicaemia and renal failure. He subsequently developed hyperpyrexia which failed to respond to conventional methods of treatment. Cold peritoneal lavage was employed which resulted in rapid lowering of his core temperature and helped manage his renal failure. The possible causes of the late onset of hyperpyrexia and the use of cold peritoneal lavage to treat refractory hyperpyrexia are discussed.