Kluver-Bucy syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric syndrome due to bilateral temporal lobe impairment. The syndrome is characterized by a constellation of behavioral symptoms, including hyperorality, hypermetamorphosis, hypersexuality, bulimia, placidity, visual agnosia and anterograde amnesia. We report a case of partial Kluver-Bucy syndrome that was treated surgically.

A 71-year-old male presented to our facility following a minor motor vehicle collision. Upon initial examination, the patient was confused, semi-lethargic, and emotionally labile. The patient had no signs of psychosis and no motor or sensory deficits. CT imaging of the brain demonstrated a left sphenoid wing meningioma and an acute right middle cerebral artery infarction. Due to high perioperative risk, there was an initial hesitation to resect the meningioma.

Over the next year, there was no significant improvement in the patient’s confusion, amnesia and behavioral difficulties. He required assistance with his activities of daily living. He was combative and irritable, and he gained substantial body weight due to increased appetite. Olanzapine failed to control his behavioral problems.

Due to the lack of recovery after one year, the patient’s family decided to proceed with craniotomy for tumor resection. A gross total resection was achieved, and after medical stabilization, the patient began to demonstrate an improvement of his pre-operative symptoms. Significant gains were made with cognitive functioning, memory, and attention. He became independent with regard to activities of daily living. His affect became pleasant with less irritability. Five years post-resection there was no evidence of tumor recurrence and he remained independent for all activities of daily living.

This report demonstrates another example of bitemporal lesions causing Kluver-Bucy syndrome. In this case the syndrome was caused by a right middle cerebral infarction and a left sphenoid wing meningioma. What distinguishes this case is the resectability of the left lesion and subsequent recovery following surgery.