Electroconvulsive Therapy of the Lethal Catatonia Syndrome

Lethal catatonia (LC) is a life-threatening syndrome associated with diverse neuropsychiatric or systemic disorders. Neuroleptic agents appear inadequate in treating LC. We report a case of LC successfully treated by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) that adds to the experience of ECT as a safe and effective treatment for LC occurring in the context of the major psychoses. Anecdotal evidence suggests that ECT is dramatically effective in LC regardless of etiology. The use of ECT in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), viewed here as a subtype of LC, is considered and compared with that of specific drug therapies for NMS.