Electroconvulsive therapy for depression in a patient with an intracranial arachnoid cyst.

in Journal of ECT (2009), 25(1), 64-6

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been frequently considered relatively contraindicated in patients with space-occupying lesions in the brain. After the 7 cases available in the literature, we describe ... [more ▼]

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been frequently considered relatively contraindicated in patients with space-occupying lesions in the brain. After the 7 cases available in the literature, we describe the safe use of ECT in a depressive patient with arachnoid cyst. We provide a comprehensive review on this clinical association, and we conclude that even if the few data available are reassuring, careful neurological evaluation before the ECT treatment is indicated. [less ▲]