title: Electroconvulsive Therapy as a Powerful Treatment for Delirium: A Case Report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to describe the successful treatment of delirium with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The method of the study was a case report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 75-year-old man, with a recently diagnosed carcinoma of the parotid gland, was admitted with a fluctuating psychiatric syndrome. Delirium was diagnosed, although an acute underlying somatic cause could not be readily established. Antipsychotics and benzodiazepines were not effective. After 7 sessions of ECT, all symptoms ceased. This enabled him to receive radiotherapy for his tumor and enjoy a good quality of life for the remaining 8 months of his life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroconvulsive therapy is not only a powerful treatment for catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and delirious mania but also for the most commonly occurring fluctuating psychiatric syndrome--delirium.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Psychiatry, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem; †Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Pro Persona, Wolfheze; and ‡University Center of Psychiatry and Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology of Emotion Regulation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Radboud M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Marijnissen
authors.forename: Jeroen A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Waarde
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002100:Cachexia; D003693:Delirium / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents