PANDAS, a series of difficult decisions: a case report

Abstract

Background: Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus (PANDAS) is a controversial diagnosis with limited evidence-based treatment guidelines available, particularly for severe and treatment-resistant cases. Case presentation: : This report describes a 9-year-old male presenting with sudden onset, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms one month following a streptococcus infection. His symptoms included suicidality and recurrent self-injurious behaviors, which led to multiple inpatient hospitalizations. He was diagnosed with PANDAS and was treated with psychotropic medications, antibiotics, immunotherapy, and a tonsillectomy. Over the two years since initial admission, the patient’s condition improved, with a decrease in symptom severity and an increase in adaptive functioning, though symptom remission was slow to occur. Conclusions: This paper explores the controversies surrounding the PANDAS diagnosis, reviews potential treatments, and discusses the dilemmas of medical decision-making in the setting of severe treatment-resistant symptoms and limited evidence-based guidelines. We hope that this case report will be valuable to healthcare providers facing similar presentations and inspire further investigation into this complex condition.