Mobius syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mobius syndrome is characterized by a bilateral congenital paralysis of the facial and abducens nerves which leaves the subject with an expressionless "mask-like" face.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Based on a literature review and a case discussion of an adult patient with Mobius syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder, initially undiagnosed and confused with a psychotic disorder, we will discuss the influence of Mobius syndrome in psychiatric evaluations.

RESULTS:

The lack of facial expressiveness and non-verbal emotional interactions may influence psychiatric evaluations and result in misdiagnosis and the inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotics. In the case analysis, we also observed other associated malformations such as renal atrophy, a bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse.

CONCLUSION:

We feel that educating the patient about the communicative consequences of impaired facial expressions and facial interactions is a necessary prerequisite for any psychiatric or psychological evaluation in subjects with Mobius syndrome. We also recommend using caution when prescribing antipsychotics in patients with Mobius syndrome given the motor side effects secondary to a potentially pre-existing hypotonia.

• Authors: Denis Jacque, Michel Ossemann, Jean-Marc Timmermans, Nicolas Zdanowicz, Thomas Dubois
• Journal: Psychiatria Danubina (Psychiatr Danub) Vol. 31 Issue Suppl 3 Pg. 376-380 (Sep 2019) ISSN: 0353-5053 [Print] Croatia
• PMID: 31488755 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Antipsychotic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Diagnostic Errors
• Facial Expression
• Humans
• Mobius Syndrome (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)
• Nonverbal Communication
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)