Central Hyperthermia Due to Intracerebral Hemorrhage Treated with Baclofen: A Case Report

Abstract

We report the treatment of a rare case of central hyperthermia due to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the basal ganglia with baclofen. Central hyperthermia is associated with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis among patients with failure of the thermoregulation system. A 35-year-old man arrived at the emergency room with the sudden loss of consciousness and right-sided hemiparesis. Computed tomography revealed an ICH in the left basal ganglia with a midline shift. Following craniotomy and evacuation of the ICH, the patient developed persistent hyperthermia. Laboratory investigations for fever did not aid in determining the origin, and the fever did not respond to any antibiotics or antipyretics. Oral baclofen was started at a dose of 30 mg/day, which was increased to 90 mg/day. The patient’s temperature markedly decreased to the normal range. Baclofen can be considered for treating suspected central hyperthermia in patients with ICH.