Results of computerised tomography during first admission for psychosis

A cohort of 168 psychotic patients underwent computerised tomography (CT) during their first admission. Cortical atrophy was present in 40% of patients. The frequency of atrophy increased with age, but did not differ between patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or psychotic depression. Other CT findings of note were present in 6.6% of patients, and included four infarctions, three arachnoid cysts, and one each of venous angioma, colloid cyst, cavum vergae and post-traumatic changes. The frequency of CT findings other than atrophy was increased in the psychotic depression group. The findings support the proposal of the onset of psychosis being an indication for CT.