Davidoff-Dyke-Masson syndrome presenting as childhood schizophrenia

The problem of differential diagnosis of childhood schizophrenia versus gross brain pathology is a difficult one. The clinical picture, for instance, of dementia infantalis (Heller's Disease) is indistinguishable from that of schizophrenia (Shaw & Lucas, 1970). The same is true of some major metabolic disorders (Bray,1970). Coexisting neurological and EEG findings for seizures are not helpful since these are often seen in schizophrenia (Bender, 1947; Fish, 1977). Mental retardation may coexist with schizophrenia or any of the other disorders. The following is an unusual case illustration of a child presenting symptoms of schizophrenia, seizures, and retardation without neurological abnormalities. Until his gross anatomical brain pathology was found by neurologic evaluation, he was subjected to the inappropriate treatment of psychotherapy.