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Violence, malignant catatonia or anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2011

Khaled Zehry ,
Andrew Matrunola  and
Clive E. Hyde
Khaled Zehry
Affiliation:
ST6, general adult psychiatry, Trafford General Hospital, Manchester, UK
Andrew Matrunola*
Affiliation:
ST4, general adult psychiatry, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK
Clive E. Hyde
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK
*
Correspondence to: Dr Andrew Matrunola, Laureate House, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9LT. E-mail: Andrew_matrunola@hotmail.com
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Abstract

We present the case of a 25-year-old woman who initially presented after committing an assault resulting in serious injury. She exhibited recent onset psychiatric symptoms which were later followed by a rapid deterioration in her physical health. She was treated with electroconvulsive therapy on a medical intensive care unit for a presumptive diagnosis of malignant catatonia. A test for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies returned positive. She was treated with IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) and high dose steroids, then underwent a left ovarian cystectomy. She was subsequently treated on a psychiatric intensive care unit until discharge.

Keywords

ViolenceNMDAencephalitisECT
Type
Case Report
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , April 2012 , pp. 55 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © NAPICU 2011

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