Abstract
BACKGROUND: Charles Bonnet syndrome is characterised by complex visual hallucinations in patients who have visual disturbances but no cognitive disorders. The diagnosis is often missed.
CASE DESCRIPTION: An 88-year-old vital woman was referred to the emergency department due to anxiety and restlessness. Her symptoms began after she had started using antipsychotic drugs for visual hallucinations. The patient's visual acuity appeared to be markedly reduced. The antipsychotics were discontinued and the reason behind the patient's symptoms was explained to her: Charles Bonnet syndrome. The anxiety and restlessness disappeared and the frequency of the hallucinations declined.
CONCLUSION: This patient had Charles Bonnet syndrome. If visual hallucinations occur for the first time after the 40th year of life, a somatic cause should first be ruled-out. Refraining from treating Charles Bonnet syndrome with pharmacological agents is advised in light of their many side effects and little evidence of being beneficial for this condition.
| Translated title of the contribution | Charles Bonnet syndrome |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | A3046 |
| Journal | Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde |
| Volume | 155 |
| Issue number | 18 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antipsychotic Agents
- Cognition Disorders
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Hallucinations
- Humans
- Syndrome
- Vision Disorders
- Case Reports
- English Abstract
- Journal Article