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Protracted delirium with Sheehan's syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Maximilian Gahr*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
Sigrun Hügl
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
Roland Freudenmann
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
*
Maximilian Gahr, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12-14, 89075 Ulm, Germany. Tel: +49 731 500 61552; Fax: +49 731 500 61462; E-mail: [email protected]

Extract

Objective: Delirium is a common problem, but often misdiagnosed and unidentified. Apart from the manifold clinical picture variable durations can also be an obstacle for its diagnosis.

Methods: We present a case of protracted delirium that has developed after severe somatic illness in association with previously undiagnosed Sheehan's syndrome.

Results: The variety of psychiatric symptoms with initial psychotic disorder and the long run of the disease delayed the diagnosis of delirium and meantime gave reason to assume personality change.

Conclusion: This case report calls attention to the possibility of protracted delirium in patients with neuropsychiatric deficit symptoms that persist subsequent to somatic illness.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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