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Craniopharyngeoma presenting as psychosis, disinhibition and personality change without neurological signs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

J. Sinai  and
A. H. C. Wong
J. Sinai
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A. H. C. Wong*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
Room 711, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
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Abstract

Tumors of the pituitary are associated most commonly with visual changes or endocrine abnormalities. Although a significant proportion of such tumors cause cognitive abnormalities, only a small number of cases have been reported in which the presenting symptoms are primarily ‘psychiatric’ in nature. The case described below highlights the importance of ancillary investigations in the evaluation of patients admitted to psychiatric wards. Despite the size and extension of the tumor, the patient showed no clear neurological signs, and screening serology was normal except for an elevated prolactin level. Only diagnostic imaging was able to reveal the presence of a calcified, cystic suprasellar mass that was confirmed to be a craniopharyngeoma by histopathology.

Keywords

craniopharyngeomamass lesionpsychosispituitarytumor
Type
Case Report
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , April 2003 , pp. 94 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 Blackwell Munksgaard

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