Uncontrolled central hyperthermia by standard dose of bromocriptine: A case report

BACKGROUND: Some patients present to the intensive care unit due to noninfectious pathologies resulting in fever, especially acute neurological injuries, including brain trauma and intracranial haemorrhage. The cause has been identified to be central hyperthermia characterized by a high core temperature and a poor response to antipyretics and antibiotics. However, no proper guidelines on how to treat central hyperthermia have been developed for clinical practice. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital due to injury after a traffic accident. Eight hours after admission, her pupils enlarged bilaterally from 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm. She developed severe coma and underwent decompressive craniectomy. She was diagnosed with central hyperthermia after surgery and was prescribed bromocriptine. The standard dose of bromocriptine could not control her hyperpyrexia, and we prescribed 30 mg a day to control her temperature. CONCLUSION: Bromocriptine may be effective in controlling central hyperthermia and have a dosage effect.