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Depression as first manifestation of a large intracerebral lymphoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2013

Thorleif Etgen*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Kliniken Südostbayern – Klinikum Traunstein, Traunstein, Germany Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
Susanne Fleissner
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Kliniken Südostbayern – Klinikum Traunstein, Traunstein, Germany
*
PD Dr Thorleif Etgen, Department of Neurology, Kliniken Südostbayern – Klinikum Traunstein, Cuno-Niggl-Strasse 3, D- 83278 Traunstein, Germany. Tel: +49 861 705 1771; Fax: +49 861 705 1515; E-mail: thorleif.etgen@klinikum-traunstein.de

Abstract

Objective

The differentiation between a ‘non-organic’ depressive episode and an organic depressive disorder on the basis of clinical grounds might be challenging.

Methods

We report a case with an initially typical severe depressive episode without any focal neurological deficits.

Results

Only medical history from a third party raised doubts about this provisional diagnosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a highly malignant diffuse large intracerebral B-cell lymphoma in the right frontal lobe changing the diagnosis into an organic depressive disorder. The patient recovered after neurosurgical resection, chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.

Conclusion

This report helps to reduce possible errors in the differential diagnosis of depressive disorders by underlining the importance of a comprehensive medical history including anamnesis from a third party and neuroimaging, especially in first or atypical manifestation of depressive disorders.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
Copyright © Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2013 

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