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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 April 2020
Introduction
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or Von Recklinghausen's disease is a frequent genetic disease with autosomal dominant transmission representing 95% of all phacomatosis. There have been numerous reports published about the physical aspects of neurofibromatosis, while psychological issues have been given little attention so far.
The aim of our case report is to highlight the possible association of NF1 and psychotic symptoms, to underline the usefulness of a complete somatic examination when confronting with epileptic or mentally retarded teens experiencing an hallucinatory syndrome.
We report the case of a 17-years-old boy, with consanguineous parents and history of mental retardation and generalized epilepsy since the age of three, consulting for auditive and visual hallucinations and an heteroagressiveness since two months. Skin examination found signs of NF1.
Electroencephalography (EEG) showed no epileptic abnormalities and brain MRI showed no abnormalities than could explain the psychotic symptoms that are usually parts of the organic brain syndrome. A medication by 2 mg per day of Risperidone has completely eliminate the psychotic symptoms within two months and is continued for one year at least.
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are often intricate. Psychiatrists should have a better knowledge of both psychiatric and somatic manifestations of NF1 to not pass through the right diagnosis and to ensure to these patients better intellectual, academic and social skills.
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