'Scopophilia Meanderans'-an unusual presentation of Munchausen's syndrome

Otolaryngology fantastica: the ear, nose, and throat manifestations of Munchausen's syndrome

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Munchausen's syndrome (MS) is a form of severe, chronic, factitious disorder with physical symptoms. Some essential features define MS, such as recurrent, feigned, or simulated illness; peregrination (traveling or wandering); pseudologia fantastica; and drug abuse. Munchausen's syndrome by proxy (MSBP) classically involves a parent or other caregiver who inflicts injury or induces illness in a child. The aim of the present study was to summarize and study the main ear, nose, and throat (ENT) manifestations of MS and MSBP.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic literature review carried out in a tertiary university referral center.

METHODS

An appropriate string was run on PubMed to retrieve articles dealing with ENT manifestations of MS and MSBP. A double cross-check was performed on citations and full-text articles found using selected inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

In total, 24 articles were finally included in the study, describing 30 cases of MS or MSBP involving the ENT region; 15/30 (50%) cases involved the face, most often presenting as facial pain or facial swelling; and 7/30 (23.3%) cases presented with symptoms involving the ear. Six cases out of 30 (20%) were MSBP.

CONCLUSIONS

MS and MSBP may present with symptoms involving the head and neck area, particularly the face and external ear canal. The ENT specialist should suspect MS in patients with strange and long-lasting symptoms, so as to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments that waste time and money in the healthcare sector.

Otolaryngological manifestations of factitious disorders--a case and literature review

Otolaryngological manifestations of factitious disorders are rare. The case of a health care worker who injected her face and orbits with air in order to masquerade as facial cellulitis is presented. The literature and treatment strategies are reviewed.

Neurotic excoriations complicating superficial parotidectomy--a case report

A case is described in which division of the great auricular nerve during parotidectomy was complicated by perichondritis of the ear cartilage following self-inflicted injury. The desirability of preserving the posterior branch of the nerve whenever possible is stressed.

Dermatitis artefacta of the paraoral region

Factitial injuries constitute a group of lesions that relate only in the manner in which they are produced and have no particular physical appearance. The possibility of correctly diagnosing a factitial injury is difficult unless this unusual condition is considered in a differential diagnosis. In this article, a case report of factitial injury of the paraoral soft tissue in a 33-year-old white man is presented. A review of self-mutilation and of the psychological aspects of self-destructive behavior is also included.