Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity (PSH) After Non-Traumatic Brain Injury

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a hyperadrenergic syndrome that may follow acute brain injury. Although it is relatively a common complication following acute traumatic brain injury but not commonly seen in non-traumatic brain injury cases. It is presumed to be caused by loss of cortical inhibitory modulation of diencephalic and brain stem centres and possible additional maladaptive changes in the spinal cord that combine to produce exaggerated sympathetic responses to stimulation. Failure to timely diagnose PSH lead to worse neurologic outcomes, prolong hospital stays, more complications and delayed recovery. Here we are reporting a case of Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity following non-traumatic brain injury secondary to stroke. With early recognition and prompt intervention he showed good recovery and shortened hospital stay