Status cataplecticus misdiagnosed as recurrent syncope

R. S. Calabrò, R. Savica, A. Laganà, A. Magaudda, D. Imbesi, G. Gallitto, P. Spina, R. Musolino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 76-year-old patient, since the age of 45, presented with frequent attacks often triggered by emotional stimuli and characterised by forward head drop and a fall to the ground without loss of consciousness. Clinically these episodes were misinterpreted as pseudoseizures and treated with clomipramine for more than 20 years. In spite of this chronic therapy, during the last year, the attacks presented with a daily recurrence and, moreover, after arbitrary clomipramine withdrawal, they increased in frequency until they became subcontinuous. Videopolygraphic analysis, multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association studies were suggestive of narcolepsy and the recurrent episodes, diagnosed as status cataplecticus, recovered after citalopram administration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)336-338
Number of pages3
JournalNeurological Sciences
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2007

Keywords

  • Citalopram treatment
  • Clomipramine withdrawal
  • Narcolepsy
  • Status cataplecticus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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