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Malignant Hyperthermia— A Misnomer

Malignant Hyperthermia— A Misnomer To the Editor.— During the past 15 years, I have been involved in the screening of relatives of patients with malignant hyperthermia, and, therefore, I became increasingly aware of the inappropriateness of the term "malignant hyperthermia." Hence, I proposed a new, more descriptive term that, rather, is based on the pathological findings: acute familial peranesthetic rhabdomyolysis. This classification conveys the pathoetiologic signs and the treatment aspects to all physicians at once. Further arguments in favor of this term are as follows: (1) The word "malignant" is often misconstrued by the patients and affected relatives as meaning a carcinomatous tumor. As a result, many potential carriers of this anomaly declined evaluation of their genetic defect. Furthermore, insurance policies were turned down as a result. (2) Before the occurrence of this name for the syndrome, the mortality was indeed high, justifying the term "malignant." But now the survival rate has been greatly http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Malignant Hyperthermia— A Misnomer

JAMA , Volume 243 (6) – Feb 8, 1980

Malignant Hyperthermia— A Misnomer

Abstract



To the Editor.—
During the past 15 years, I have been involved in the screening of relatives of patients with malignant hyperthermia, and, therefore, I became increasingly aware of the inappropriateness of the term "malignant hyperthermia." Hence, I proposed a new, more descriptive term that, rather, is based on the pathological findings: acute familial peranesthetic rhabdomyolysis. This classification conveys the pathoetiologic signs and the treatment aspects to all...
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Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1980 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.1980.03300320011002
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

To the Editor.— During the past 15 years, I have been involved in the screening of relatives of patients with malignant hyperthermia, and, therefore, I became increasingly aware of the inappropriateness of the term "malignant hyperthermia." Hence, I proposed a new, more descriptive term that, rather, is based on the pathological findings: acute familial peranesthetic rhabdomyolysis. This classification conveys the pathoetiologic signs and the treatment aspects to all physicians at once. Further arguments in favor of this term are as follows: (1) The word "malignant" is often misconstrued by the patients and affected relatives as meaning a carcinomatous tumor. As a result, many potential carriers of this anomaly declined evaluation of their genetic defect. Furthermore, insurance policies were turned down as a result. (2) Before the occurrence of this name for the syndrome, the mortality was indeed high, justifying the term "malignant." But now the survival rate has been greatly

Journal

JAMAAmerican Medical Association

Published: Feb 8, 1980

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