Cerebral hemiatrophy and schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND

Neuroimaging of a treatment-resistant patient with schizophrenia revealed the existence of cerebral hemiatrophy. The association of schizophrenia with cerebral hemiatrophy has not previously been reported.

RESULTS

Neuroimaging with X-ray computerised tomography showed marked reduction in the volume of the left cerebral hemisphere with secondary enlargement of the left lateral fissure and cortical sulci. High resolution cranial single-photon emission computerised tomography showed a functional deficit of the regional cerebral blood flow in the left lateral parietal and left temporal lobes.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral hemiatrophy may belong to the lengthening list of neurodevelopmental cerebral anomalies associated with schizophrenia.