Self-mutilation resulting in bacterial meningitis.

Self-mutilation and particularly self-destructive dermatoses are not usually life-threatening. This case involves a man who met the DSM-III R diagnostic criteria for delusional (paranoid) disorder, somatic type. His destructive behavior involving the face and scalp resulted in osteomyelitis and pneumococcal meningitis. He responded to treatment initially, but was later lost to follow-up. No similar case of self-mutilation has been reported.