Skip to main content
A Case Report Of A Rare, But Important, Cause Of Delerium Presenting To An Emergency Department
Abstract
Introduction: Delayed post-hypoxic leukencephalopathy (DPHL) is a rare cause of acute neuropsychiatric decline diagnosable in Emergency Departments, but it has not been described in the Emergency Medical literature. We present a case report of a pathognomonic presentation.
Case Report: A man developed akinetic mutism fourteen days after being discharged from a hospitalization for fentanyl overdose. His presentation and MRI were pathognomonic for DPHL.
Conclusion: DPHL can present to the ED as altered mental status days to weeks after apparent full recovery from an initial episode of cerebral hypoxia. This report will help Emergency Providers avoid missing this diagnosis.