Neurocysticercosis and Psycho-social Trauma | Chapter 04 | New Insights into Disease and Pathogen Research Vol. 1
This chapter describes a patient with
neurocysticercosis who presented with psychotic features. He came to Cairns,
Queensland, Australia as a refugee following his experiences of civil unrest in
Rwanda. A review of the current literature on neurocysticercosis is described
including an introduction, clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis,
diagnosis, treatment, case presentation, clinical course, Axis 1-IV diagnoses
and discussion highlighting psychosocial trauma. A history of the genocide he
survived in Rwanda in 1994 is summarised along with a discussion of traumatic
or dissociative psychosis that was included in his differential diagnosis. The
patient was admitted through the Emergency Department where he was assessed and
treated in a medical ward with the involvement of the Psychiatric Liaison Team
and Infectious Disease Team. CT and MRI of the brain confirmed the diagnosis of
neurocysticercosis. Medical treatment was administered for neurocysticercosis
and community psychiatric and medical follow-up were undertaken.
Medical treatment of neurocysticercosis
was successful but the patient subsequently developed a seizure disorder that
was treated effectively and subsequently resolved without the need for
continuing medication. The patient’s psychotic disorder was treated with
medication and supportive psychotherapy. His delirium cleared quickly after two
days treatment with an antipsychotic was given. Unresolved grief related to
psycho-social trauma was addressed as an on-going process during his community
psychiatric treatment.
Neurocysticercosis is rare and should
be considered in immigrants from countries that have endemic neurocysticercosis.
A small minority of patients present with psychosis. This patient who survived
extensive trauma presented with psychosis that required assessment for
traumatic or dissociative psychosis.
Author(s) Details
Dr. Mila Goldner-Vukov
Cairns Base Hospital Mental
Health Unit, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
Dr. Laurie Jo Moore
Cairns Base Hospital Mental
Health Unit, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
Dr. Hesitha Abeysundera,
MBBS, FRANZCP, FAChAM, Cert. Addiction Psych.
Cairns Base Hospital Mental
Health Unit, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
Dr. Arulmathy Arunachalam,
MBBS, FRANZCP, FPOA.
Cairns Base Hospital Mental
Health Unit, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
View Volume: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nidpr/v1
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