Mood Disorder as an Early Presentation of Epidermoid of Quadrigeminal Cistern

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntracranial epidermoids are space-occupying lesions of rare variant. Although cerebropontine angle and parasellar region are common sites of occurrence, it has been reported in various other parts of the intracranial cavity. Headache and features of increased intracranial tension are the common clinical manifestation. Report of psychiatric symptoms as the initial presentation of epidermoid is not known in literature except a single case report, which describes mutism to be the manifestation of intracranial epidermoid. We present here the case of a young male, who presented with long depressive episode persisting for 3 years with subsequent switch to mania, which persisted for more than 3 years. An episode of unconsciousness warranted neuroimaging, which revealed a large epidermoid of the quadrigeminal cistern. Surgical resection of the epidermoid was done. Persisting mood symptoms had responded to mood stabilizer and antipsychotic treatment.