MUNCHAUSEN-SYNDROME PRESENTING AS MAJOR TRAUMA

The case is described of a man who feigned being struck by a vehicle, leading to an unnecessary major trauma response by the ambulance servi ce and hospital. Suspicion that the patient suffered from Munchausen s yndrome was confirmed by later investigation. Accident and emergency s taff should file details of such patients on the department computer r ecords system, where available, so that staff are alerted automaticall y to their presence, and share this information with neighbouring hosp itals. All such patients should be treated according to ATLS guideline s until injury is ruled out, as for any other patient.