Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Electroconvulsive therapy for catatonia in a boy with hydrocephalus and an arachnoid cyst
Lee E Wachtel1, Kristin Baranano, Irving M Reti
1Department of Psychiatry, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA. Wachtel@kennedykrieger.org
Insights
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) effectively treated catatonia in a 13-year-old boy with congenital hydrocephalus and shunt complications. This case highlights ECT as a viable treatment for severe catatonic symptoms in complex pediatric neurological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Medical Case Study
Background:
- Congenital hydrocephalus managed with shunt placement and revisions.
- Patient experienced normal development prior to symptom onset.
- History of a stable prepontine arachnoid cyst.
Observation:
- Profound catatonic deterioration including rigidity, posturing, stupor, and mutism.
- Cessation of oral intake and psychomotor signs.
- Extensive neurological workup yielded negative results for underlying causes.
Findings:
- Successful treatment of acute catatonia with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- Outstanding clinical improvement observed post-ECT.
- Demonstrated efficacy of ECT in a pediatric patient with complex neurological history.
Implications:
- ECT is a potential therapeutic option for catatonia in pediatric patients with complex hydrocephalus and shunt issues.
- Highlights the importance of considering psychiatric interventions in neurologically compromised children.
- Suggests further research into ECT's role in pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders.
Abstract:
We report on the successful use of electroconvulsive therapy in a 13-year-old boy with congenital hydrocephalus, a history of multiple shunt revisions, and a stable prepontine arachnoid cyst, who experienced profound catatonic deterioration. After initial shunt placement at age 20 months, the patient had followed normal motor, cognitive, and social developmental trajectories. Two uncomplicated shunt revisions were performed at ages 10 and 13 years. Three months after the last revision, the patient demonstrated multiple psychomotor signs, culminating in hospital admission for rigidity, posturing, waxy flexibility, stupor, mutism, and cessation of all oral intake. An extensive neurologic workup related to his preexisting conditions produced negative results, and a course of electroconvulsive therapy for acute catatonia was pursued, with outstanding improvement.
