[Münchhausen syndrome: diagnosis and management]

The authors review the literature on Münchhausen syndrome, and ilustrate the clinical features of the disorder with the description of a characteristic case. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis are discussed with regard to other somatoform disorders such as conversion disorder and somatization disorder as well as to malingering and schizophrenia. The awareness of general practitioners and surgeons regarding this syndrome may avoid the exposure of these patients to serious complications of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures. The management of Müchhausen syndrome is aggravated by the low compliance in these patients. Early diagnosis could to a considerable extent prevent the iatrogenic risks. The authors recommend that patients presenting the psychopathological features of a Münchhausen syndrome should be conservatively observed and an attempt to clarify both the medical and the psychiatric diagnosis should be made before any invasive procedure is undertaken.