Acute Catatonia Following a Cerebellar Stroke: A Case Report
1Family Medicine, Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, Boardman, USA.
Cureus
|October 21, 2024
Summary
Catatonia, a condition with diverse psychomotor symptoms, can be triggered by medical issues. A lorazepam challenge test confirmed acute catatonia in a patient with a cerebellar stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor, volitional, and behavioral abnormalities.
- It requires careful differential diagnosis in hospitalized patients presenting with speech and motor impairments.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old woman admitted for speech and ambulation difficulties was diagnosed with a cerebellar stroke via MRI.
- Her symptoms, including rigidity, mutism, and psychomotor slowing, were disproportionate to the stroke's size.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms were not fully explained by the cerebellar infarction.
- A positive response to a lorazepam challenge test indicated acute catatonia.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering catatonia in medically ill patients with unexplained psychomotor symptoms.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment of catatonia, even when secondary to a medical condition, are crucial for patient recovery.
