Bipolar Disorder in a Young Girl with Dandy-Walker Syndrome

Dandy-Walker syndrome is a congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum and the fourth ventricle. The key features of this syndrome are mental retardation, cerebellar ataxia, and symptoms related to hydrocephaly. The psychiatric aspects of this syndrome have been insufficiently appreciated. Described here is a 17- year- old girl with an acute manic episode emerged in the course of Dandy-Walker syndrome. Presentation and treatment are then addressed.