NYMC Faculty Publications

Psychosis Secondary to an Incidental Teratoma: A "Heads-up" for Psychiatrists and Gynecologists

DOI

10.1007/s00737-017-0751-8

Journal Title

Archives of Women's Mental Health

First Page

703

Last Page

707

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a potentially fatal form of autoimmune encephalitis that originates secondary to a host immune response to neural tissue within a teratoma. We describe the case of a 17-year old girl who presented with acute onset psychosis, catatonic movements, urinary incontinence, fever, tachycardia, and fluctuating periods of hypotension and hypertension. A CT scan demonstrated an incidental 6 cm ovarian teratoma. The patient fully recovered after ovarian cystectomy, followed by medical management with intravenous immunoglobins and plasmapheresis. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is an important differential diagnosis to consider for young patients presenting with acute onset psychiatric symptoms, who develop seizures, movement disorders, or autonomic instability. It is important for psychiatrist and gynecologist to be aware of this diagnosis as delay in recognition can have serious consequences including patient death.

Publisher's Statement

Originally published in Archives of Women's Mental Health, 20 (5), 703-707. The original material can be found here.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS