SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
A case is presented in which a patient performed persistent covert acts of self-mutilation through mechanical and chemical means. The lesions first involved the oral mucosa and then the skin and were misinterpreted as erythema multiforme and pyoderma gangrenosum, respectively.
We studied a case of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome with delayed onset of self-mutilation. Athetotic cerebral palsy and mental retardation were diagnosed at 1 year old, but the disease was not suspected until age 8 years when he began biting his lips and fingers. There was no obvious alteration of catecholamine in urine and CSF. We attempted to induce a series of blink reflexes by electric, mechanical and photic procedures. The R1 amplitude increased and the latency of the R2 shortened compared with controls. This shows that not only orbicularis motoneuron itself, but also uncrossed interneurons, are in a state of hyperexcitability. The contralateral R2 was poor which was in favour of hypoexcitability of the crossed interneurons at the brainstem. The significant large response was obtained by photic procedure which was in favour of hyperexcitability of the motoneurons. Therefore, it is demonstrated that a thorough examination of blink reflexes provides a useful method for examination of a state of the underlying neural activity.
Self-inflicted cut or stab wounds may be used by the injured to make credible a feigned assault. In such cases the alleged traces of the crime are found on the body and the clothing of the informant. Occasionally the very pattern of the injuries points to self-infliction. For example the following findings may be indicative of self-infliction: a greater number of very superficial wounds, wounds parallel or grouped, mostly located on the left side of the body (in right-handers) or symmetry in arrangement, intact clothing or lack of correspondence between wounds and damage of clothing, absence of typical defence and protection injuries. In the light of 4 cases observed from the material at hand, special features of the lesion appearance are shown and possible motives for the deed discussed.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be considered a complex entity with possibly different subgroups responsive to specific treatment. This article presents two cases of OCD with self-mutilation, successfully treated with serotonergic antidepressants. The authors discuss a sub-group of OCD patients whose rituals present as self-destructive behavior and are responsive to pharmacotherapy.
An African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of vertebral origin with compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerves. The only presenting sign was a self-mutilation of rear feet. Additional diagnoses included a well-differentiated splenic hemangiosarcoma, an undifferentiated sarcoma of the ascending colon, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
A case is described of a man who castrated himself while depressed over deviated sexual urges, with eventual favorable response to psychiatric hospitalization and psychotherapy. The literature on self-mutilation is then reviewed, comparing 26 cases of enucleation of eyes, cutting off a hand, mutilating genitals (by males) and cutting out the tongue. Recommendations for treatment and study are attention to previous history or evidence of self-injury, preoccupation with Biblical passages regarding self-injury, preceding drug abuse and early loss of the father in males. Rapid tranquilization and intensive psychotherapy are advised following hospitalization.
The charts of 660 consecutive admissions to a university psychiatric hospital were examined. After excluding those with mental retardation, 32 patients who had mutilated themselves and 88 patients admitted for unsuccessful suicide attempts were identified. Women were significantly overrepresented among the mutilators, but the groups did not differ with respect to age. Most analyses were restricted to women, of whom 27 were self-mutilators and 51 were nonmutilating suicide attempters. Mutilators were less likely to receive diagnoses of major depression or adjustment disorder but were more likely to have a history of substance abuse and receive Axis II diagnoses. The mutilative behavior was generally repetitive. The most common form was superficial cutting of the arms and wrists. Reports of lifetime sexual or physical abuse were more common among mutilators. Mutilators also had frequent histories of suicide attempts distinct from their mutilation behavior, multiple hospitalizations, and transfer to state hospitals for longer-term care. These findings suggest a chronic course with significant morbidity and associated features which may be of clinical significance.
This study attempted to determine the prevalence of childhood trauma among women in the general population as assessed in a representative sample from a city in central Turkey. The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) was administered to 628 women in 500 homes. They were also asked for childhood abuse and/or neglect. DES was administered to 251 probands. Mean age of the probands was 34.8+/- 11.5 years (range 18-65). Sixteen women (2.5%) reported sexual abuse, 56 women (8.9%) physical abuse, and 56 women (8.9%) emotional abuse in childhood. The most frequently reported childhood trauma was neglect (n= 213, 33.9%). The prevalence of suicide attempts was 4.5% (n= 28). Fourteen probands (2.2%) reported self-mutilative behavior.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
1. The case is described of a 28-year old male with a diagnosis of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. 2. Chronic treatment with the atypical neuroleptic risperidone at 4 mg daily has maintained a significant reduction in occurrence of self-mutilation.
BACKGROUND: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics. Extreme forms of this disease manifest themselves with self-mutilating behavior and foul language. HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 59-year-old man, treated for Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, presented with visual loss after an attack during which he punched his right eye with his fist. On examination visual acuity was decreased to finger counting but could be improved to 1.0 with an S + 13D lens. There was vitreous prolaps into the anterior chamber and pigment was noted in the vitreous cavity. The complete dislocated lens could be seen ophthalmoscopically in the inferior fundus of the eye. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: The patient was treated with vitrectomy and phacoemulsification through the pars plana. An additional encircling band was placed due to peripheral retinal tears in the inferior quadrants. Visual rehabilitation was achieved with a secondary implant of a retropupillary iris-claw lens nine months later. DISCUSSION: Self-inflicted injuries are common in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Ocular lesions described in the literature comprise isolated cases of orbital hemorrhage, retinal detachment and permanent severe visual loss. Lens luxation has not been described before, and is probably due to weakened zonulae induced by repeated trauma. Treatment with a retropupillary iris-claw lens is the preferred therapy as it reduces the risk of endothelial touch during repeated trauma on the eye.
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS), a rare inborn error of metabolism, is characterized by self-injurious behaviour, which results in partial or total destruction of oral and perioral tissues and/or fingers and hands. Prevention of self-mutilation raises significant difficulties. Treatment modalities include drug therapy, extraction of teeth, oral appliances and orthognathic surgery, all with variable success. A case of a 10-year-old boy with aggressive behaviour and severe lower lip injuries is presented. A palatal plate fabricated to raise the anterior bite proved to have satisfactory results. Although two adjustments were required during the recall visits, the effectiveness of the appliance in assisting healing of soft tissue damage was immediate and still apparent during the 3 years and 8 month follow-up period.
In the present study, attempts were made to clarify the characteristics and the background information of persons with antisocial personality (disorder) who had resorted to slashings. These were compared with controls with a similar personality disorder who had not resorted to slashings. It appeared that the former had been more often prone to repeated outbursts of rage or fighting, drug abuse, and even other forms of self-destruction as well as tattooing in prison. They had more often had an alcoholic father. Moreover, they were more withdrawn, anxious and had a tendency to blame their environment. They had more often made efforts to get out of the restricted milieu of prison to the prison's psychiatric department and experienced the confined space of the prison as oppressive. They resorted to slashing usually in prisons and it seemed that the restricted environment with an absence of sufficient stimuli was crucial in triggering self-mutilation.