Münchhausen Syndrome: A Case Report of an Unusual Cause of Vitamin K Antagonist Intoxication

A A Pract. 2020 Apr;14(6):e01189. doi: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000001189.

Abstract

Psychiatric disorders must be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting to the emergency department with unexplainable somatic symptoms. Physicians should be aware of Münchhausen syndrome as a possible diagnosis. A 46-year-old female patient presented at the emergency department with signs of coagulopathy. She denied taking any anticoagulant drugs as well as rat poison. Urine toxicology revealed the presence of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). After an extensive workup, she was diagnosed with Münchhausen syndrome. Intentional intoxication with VKA is rare.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Munchausen Syndrome* / chemically induced
  • Munchausen Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Vitamin K

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Vitamin K