Hashimoto's encephalopathy presenting with bipolar affective disorder

Bipolar Disord. 2005 Jun;7(3):292-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2005.00196.x.

Abstract

Objective: We report on a rare case of Hashimoto's encephalopathy associated with a bipolar affective disorder.

Case report: A 32-year-old woman presented with a bipolar affective disorder and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Neurological investigations (magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid) did not reveal any pathological findings except for a pathological electroencephalogram (EEG). Despite consequent antidepressant treatment, the patient remitted only in conjunction with normalization of the EEG after short-term treatment with high doses of prednisolone.

Conclusion: In treatment resistant courses of disorders, the thorough clinical and laboratory investigation of our patient revealed a very efficient treatment strategy. Cases of Hashimoto's encephalopathy associated with the occurrence of a manic episode and hence with bipolar disorder are rare; this is the first reported case. However, clinicians should be alert to this possibility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bipolar Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / diagnosis*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / therapy

Substances

  • Prednisolone