Lilliputian hallucinations in schizophrenia: a case report.

Abstract

Lilliputian hallucinations are a rare type of visual hallucination where imaginary objects, persons or animals of diminutive size are perceived. These small images are usually described as brightly coloured mobile creatures. The earliest description was given by Macarius in 400 AD who described these as 'little strangers', but the term 'Lilliputian' was first used by Leroy. Lilliputian hallucinations have been described in a variety of clinical conditions such as delirium, dementia, alcohol withdrawal states, following intake of dihydrocodein phosphate and dl-methylephedrine hydrochloride (a cough syrup), and medical conditions like toxoplasmosis, basilar migraine, mesencephalic lesions, cerebral tumors, epilepsy, Charles Bonnet Syndrome, and trichloroethylene poisoning. Lilliputian hallucinations were first described in schizophrenia by Lewis, but have been reported as a rare phenomenon.