Psychosis and Wilson's disease: a case report

Psychiatr Danub. 2006 Jun;18(1-2):105-7.

Abstract

In this article we present a case of a 26-year-old woman with clinical picture of acute psychosis, as the first and main manifestation of Wilson's disease, who developed abnormal involuntary choreoathetoid limb movements, few days after initiation of neuroleptic therapy. At the first movement neurological symptoms were misinterpreted as side effect of haloperidol, but consulted neurologist suggested additional diagnostic procedure which confirmed Wilson's disease. Psychiatric symptomatology and abnormal involuntary movements were the clinical manifestation of this disease, which improved with neuroleptic and chelating treatment. Interdisciplinary approach with good collaboration of psychiatrists and neurologists is crucial for Wilson's disease, because early diagnosis and treatment without delay is critical to the prognosis. This case serves as a reminder that involuntary movements can be side effect of antipsychotics but also the clinical manifestation of some illnesses, for example Wilson's, Huntington's and Fuhr's diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Athetosis / chemically induced
  • Athetosis / diagnosis
  • Chelating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chorea / chemically induced
  • Chorea / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / adverse effects
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / diagnosis*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / psychology
  • Humans
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Chelating Agents
  • Haloperidol