Acute cerebral symptomatology, a rare presentation of scleromyxedema

A 65 year old male with the entity, scleromyxedema, experienced exacerbation of the disease in which the main clinical features involved the central nervous system. He presented with clouded sensorium, disorganized thinking, combative behavior, headache, unsteady gait and grand mal seizures. A few d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of clinical psychiatry Vol. 39; no. 5; p. 471
Main Authors Ochitill, H N, Amberson, J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1978
Subjects
Aged
Confusion - psychology
Electroencephalography
Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic - psychology
Humans
Liver Function Tests
Male
Mental Disorders - psychology
Myxedema - psychology
Neurocognitive Disorders - psychology
Psychomotor Agitation - psychology
Scleroderma, Systemic - psychology
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Summary:A 65 year old male with the entity, scleromyxedema, experienced exacerbation of the disease in which the main clinical features involved the central nervous system. He presented with clouded sensorium, disorganized thinking, combative behavior, headache, unsteady gait and grand mal seizures. A few days after hospital admission the symptoms abated. After a 6 day hiatus, the symptoms suddenly recurred, continuing for another week. The symptomatology again suddenly ceased with complete clearance of mental status. During the full-blown delirium, the electroencephalogram had demonstrated diffuse slowing while lumbar puncture, brain scan, E.M.I. scan and cerebral arteriogram failed to contribute to the understanding of the clinical presentation. Scleromyxedema rarely involves the central nervous system. This case illustrates a very unusual manifestation of scleromyxedema, prominent central nervous system involvement presenting as an acute organic brain syndrome. It is the only case which includes formal mental status examination, cerebrospinal fluid findings and electroencephalogram results.
ISSN:0160-6689