[Munchausen's syndrome: a study of 6 cases]

We report 6 patients with Munchausen syndrome, a fictitious disorder with physical symptoms. There were 4 females and 2 males, the age ranged from 21 to 29 years. Abdominal pain (2), hemoptysis, shock and hypoglycemia were the presenting symptoms. The diagnosis was made after a prolonged and costly hospital course, including invasive and non invasive diagnostic procedures. Two patients were ill enough to be at risk of death. An early diagnosis may help prevent unnecessary or risky procedures in these patients.