Archive 1992–2014
1993, tom 2, zeszyt 3
Varia
Difficulties in diagnosing the Charles Bonnet syndrome
ARTUR BIAŁYSZEWSKI1
1. IV Kliniki Psychiatrycznej IPiN w Warszawie
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 1993, 2, 265-269
Keywords: Charles Bonnet syndrome, hallucinosis, optic hallucinations
Summary
Occurrence of visual hallucinations in patients without disturbances of consciousness is a source of serious diagnostic difficulties. The Charles Bonnet syndrome, described mostly in the elderly with vision defects, is a specific form of visual hallucinosis. Diagnostic problems with this syndrome due to its unknown etiology and the lack of commonly accepted diagnostic criteria, were discussed and exemplified by a case in which the Charles Bonnet syndrome preceded delirium by many weeks in the course of a generalized neoplastic disease. Antiepileptic drugs, especially carbamazepine, were found to be efficacious in such cases.
Correspondence address
Dr Artur Białyszewski, IV Klinika Psychiatryczna IPiN, Wojewódzki Szpital Zespolony
ul. Kondratowicza 8, 03-285 Warszawa.
ul. Kondratowicza 8, 03-285 Warszawa.