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Meningioma and psychiatric symptoms: A case report and brief review
Subramoniam Madhusoodanan1, Shama Patel, Jonathan Reinharth
1Department of Psychiatry, St. John's Episcopal Hospital Far Rockaway, NY, USA, Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Background:
Atypical presentation of psychiatric symptoms can lead to a variety of misdiagnoses. Organic causes, including brain tumors, should be considered under these circumstances.
Methods:
We present a case report of an 84-year-old woman with irritable, aggressive, and delusional behavior. Her earlier diagnoses included altered mental status, encephalopathy, dementia, nonspecified psychosis, and delirium with delusions. We suspected that a brain tumor could be causing her psychiatric symptoms.
Results:
CT of the head revealed 2 calcified meningiomas, which did not require surgery. Neuropsychological testing results were consistent with frontal lesion type of cognitive and psychotic symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms improved with risperidone. A brief review of the literature is included.
Conclusions:
Brain imaging should be considered in cases of atypical psychiatric presentations. Past medical records and neuropsychological testing could assist in the diagnosis.
Insights
Atypical psychiatric symptoms in an elderly woman were caused by brain tumors. Early diagnosis with brain imaging and neuropsychological testing is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Atypical psychiatric symptoms can be misdiagnosed.
- Organic causes, such as brain tumors, should be investigated.
