Author(s)

Christopher Rodgman, Megan Thompson, Nicolas Vergara

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.

Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening reaction associated with serotonergic agents. Its mortality is estimated around 11%, hence prompt diagnosis is necessary [1]. Given the variability of its presentation, physicians often misdiagnose this devastating condition. We present a case of serotonin syndrome seen in the Emergency Department by an on-call psychiatric resident and review the Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria, emphasizing the importance of physician familiarity with these criteria.

Serotonin Syndrome; Paroxetine; Emergency Department

Rodgman, C. , Thompson, M. , Vergara, N. and Rodgman, C. (2012) A psychiatric whodunit: Serotonin syndrome in the emergency department. Open Journal of Psychiatry, 2, 281-283. doi: 10.4236/ojpsych.2012.24039.