Neurogenic fever
From IDWiki
Background
Pathophysiology
- Thought to relate to damage to the hypothalamus, increasing levels of prostaglandin E
- May be related to release of prostaglandin E during initial trauma, given that it is more commonly seen soon after admission
Epidemiology
- Unidentified focus of fever occurs in up to 26% of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Also occurs in 4 to 37% of patients with traumatic brain injury
Clinical Manifestations
- Occurs more commonly in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, or brain tumour
- In TBI, diffuse axonal injury and frontal lobe damage appear to be specific risk factors
- More commonly seen within 72 hours of admission
- Typically shorter duration (mean 1.4 days versus 4.2 for infectious fevers)
Further Reading
- Neurogenic Fever: Review of Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management. J Intensive Care Med. 2017;32(2):124-129. doi: 10.1177/0885066615625194
