Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in striatonigral degeneration.

A 6-year-old boy with striatonigral degeneration had an episode of neuroleptic malignant syndrome after an upper respiratory infection. Dantrolene treatment was successful. Some reports have demonstrated that anesthetic and antipsychotic agents lead to neuroleptic malignant syndrome in disorders of the basal ganglia. However, neuroleptic malignant syndrome attributable to a respiratory infection has not previously been reported. Our patient illustrates the potential morbidity of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in patients with striatonigral degeneration.