UROLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MUNCHAUSENS-SYNDROME

Munchausen's syndrome (MHS) is classed among the self-manipulated dise ases but is frequently not recognized as such. Patients suffering from MHS Hemorrhagic type successfully obtain repeated invasive diagnostic management by the permanent presentation of various symptoms especial ly in the surgical branches of medicine. In urology, the 'hemorrhagic type', the 'abdominal type' and the 'neurological type' are predominan t. In the course of his 'history' the MHS patient shows definite organ ic lesions as a result of numerous artificial and iatrogenic procedure s. Consequently, diagnosis gets more and more difficult. In the majori ty of cases psychotherapy ends after few psychiatric interviews in the initial stage of therapy. Increasing somatic lesions are predominant.