Fulminant

Fulminant is a medical term used to describe a disease or condition that begins abruptly and progresses rapidly to a life-threatening state. The word derives from Latin fulminare, meaning to strike with lightning, reflecting the sudden onset and severity of the process.

The most well-known usage is fulminant hepatic failure, also called fulminant hepatitis, in which acute liver failure develops within days to weeks of symptom onset, with hepatic encephalopathy and coagulopathy. It requires urgent evaluation and often intensive care. Prognosis varies with cause, and liver transplantation can be a life-saving option for eligible patients.

Fulminant disease can affect other organs or systems, including infections such as fulminant meningitis or fulminant sepsis, myocarditis, or pancreatitis, where illness progresses rapidly and carries high mortality if not promptly treated. Causes vary by organ but commonly include severe infections, toxins or drugs, autoimmune processes, and pregnancy-related conditions for hepatic involvement.

Diagnosis centers on rapid clinical assessment and organ-specific tests. In fulminant hepatic failure, criteria include coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy developing within a short interval, supported by liver function tests and imaging. Management focuses on stabilization and treatment of the underlying cause, with supportive care in an intensive setting. In fulminant hepatic failure, antiviral therapy when indicated, correction of coagulopathy and cerebral edema risk, and consideration of liver transplantation are key components of care.