Acute psychosis owing to recurrence of craniopharyngioma in an elderly woman

Abstract

A 63-year-old woman, after 5 years of resection of craniopharyngioma, developed recurrence of tumor with acute onset of psychotic symptoms. After 4 years of resection of craniopharyngioma, the patient presented with psychotic symptoms of varied delusion of reference, persecution, black magic and occasional auditory hallucinations. On physical examination, she showed no neurological deficit. Her blood investigations were at normal levels. Her recent magnetic resonance imaging brain scan showed large cystic lesion supposed to be a recurrent mass in sellar and suprasellar regions. After 2 months of antipsychotic treatment, her delusions and hallucinations were much decreased to extent that now she can do some household work. Her psychosis was controlled while she awaits neurosurgical intervention for recurrent craniopharyngioma. Acute psychosis is rarely found in elderly people and after few years of craniotomy for craniopharyngioma resection. So, the psychosis can be associated with the recurrence of craniopharyngioma. Such psychosis needs surgical intervention for primary cause.