Psychiatric presentation of Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
BACKGROUND
Hashimoto's encephalopathy is an unusual condition that is associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Myoclonus, epileptic seizures, dementia, and disturbances of consciousness are the most common features.


METHODS
We present an atypical case of Hashimoto's encephalopathy in a 33-year-old woman who presented with several brief and acute psychotic episodes. After treatment with steroids, there was an improvement in the patient's psychiatric symptoms and electroencephalogram, and antithyroglobulin antibody titers returned to normal levels.


CONCLUSIONS
It is our opinion that Hashimoto's encephalopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical psychosis, especially because this is a treatable syndrome. This is particularly important in patients with a previous history of thyroid disease, despite current normal thyroid function.
Arrojo
Manuel
M
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital S. João, Alameda Prof Hernani Monteiro, Porto, Portugal.
Perez-Rodriguez
Maria M
MM
Mota
Márcia
M
Moreira
Ricardo
R
Azevedo
Ana
A
Oliveira
Ana
A
Abreu
Pedro
P
Marques
Paula
P
Silva
Alzira
A
Pereira
Jorge G
JG
Palha
A Pacheco
AP
Baca-Garcia
Enrique
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013256:Steroids