RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Neurocysticercosis presenting as bipolar disorder: a case report
JF General Psychiatry
JO Gen Psych
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e100663
DO 10.1136/gpsych-2021-100663
VO 34
IS 6
A1 Surbhi Batra
A1 Sumit Kumar
A1 Lokesh Singh Shekhawat
YR 2021
UL http://gpsych.bmj.com/content/34/6/e100663.abstract
AB Neurocysticercosis is the most common neuro-parasitosis caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium. The most common manifestations include seizures and hydrocephalus. Psychiatric abnormalities are relatively rare but depressive symptoms are frequent in patients with neurocysticercosis. However, mania as a presentation is relatively rare. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are relatively vulnerable times and they can lead to reactivation of existing neurocysterci lesions. We are discussing the case of a 23-year-old female patient with neurocysticercosis leading to the reactivation of lesions in the peripartum and postpartum period leading to bipolar affective disorder. Improvement in the patient was seen with a combination of antipsychotics, antihelmintics, antiepileptics and steroids, along with improved radiological signs of neurocysterci lesions. Although neurocysticercosis is a common illness, its prevalence presenting as a manic episode is merely 2.6% and, hence, missed easily. Therefore, it is important to rule out organic aetiology in patients even with a classic presentation of bipolar affective disorder and those having any other neurological symptoms and signs.