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Depressive symptomatology and pineal epidermoid cyst: a case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2013

Konstantinos Kontoangelos ,
Marina Economou ,
Maria Maltezou ,
Anna Kandaraki  and
George N. Papadimitriou
Konstantinos Kontoangelos*
Affiliation:
1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece
Marina Economou
Affiliation:
1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece
Maria Maltezou
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Sismanoglio Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Anna Kandaraki
Affiliation:
University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece
George N. Papadimitriou
Affiliation:
1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
*
Dr. Konstantinos Kontoangelos, 1st Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece. Tel: +0030 210 7289189; Fax: +0030 210 7242020; E-mail: kontange@hol.gr
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Abstract

Introduction

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are congenital cysts. They comprise 0.2–1.8% of primary intracranial tumours and are four to nine times as common as dermoid cysts.

Case report

We here in present the case of a 32-year-old man who reported sudden onset of symptoms of a depressive symptomatology and particularly severe headache, accompanied by fatigue, depressed mood most of the day, marked diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities, insomnia and diminished ability to think or concentrate. Brain magnetic resolution imaging examination revealed a pineal epidermoid cystic lesion, visualised in the posterior part of the third ventricle, with a maximum diameter of ∼2.8 cm and obstructing the aqueduct of Sylvius, causing obstructive hydrocephalus.

Discussion

Pineal cysts may enlarge over time, because of either increased cyst fluid or intracystic haemorrhage, and become symptomatic. Brain radiological investigations in patients with depressive symptomatology may be substantial.

Keywords

brain cystdepressionhydrocephaluspineal gland
Type
Short Communications
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 25 , Issue 4 , August 2013 , pp. 240 - 242
Copyright
Copyright © Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2013 

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References

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