title: Delusional parasitosis--study of 3 cases.
abstract: Delusional disorder-somatic (parasitosis) type is a rare psychiatric disorder which poses a challenge to diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Pimozide, a highly specific dopamine blocker has shown promising results in the 3 cases illustrated here. These cases were seen over a period of 3 years. All the three patients believed that an insect has entered through the ear and is burrowing tracts/laying multiple eggs. They approached the ENT surgeons or neurosurgeon with a fear that their brain will be invaded. On psychiatric evaluation, no past or present history of major psychiatric illness was found. Premorbid personalities were well adjusted. Only for two patients, acute moderate stressors were detected. Delusions disappeared by the end of 2 wks but therapy was continued for 5 months.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Psychiatry, KEM Hospital, Parel, Bombay, Maharashtra.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanumantha
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Pradhan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Suvarna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010868:Pimozide / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D010868:Pimozide