Heatstroke in the super-sized athlete

We present a 16-year-old male athlete with hyperthermia, altered mental status, and respiratory distress during summer football practice. Multisystem organ failure ensued, which he survived. Malignant hyperthermia was suspected in this patient who had a history of rhabdomyolysis. Specific muscle contracture testing later eliminated this diagnosis. This case discusses the importance of rapid hydration with isonatremic fluid, aggressive cooling, and full support measures, including plasmapheresis, further diagnostic efforts to evaluate potential causes of rhabdomyolysis, and planning for physical and emotional rehabilitation.