[The behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia: a challenging diagnosis]

We present the case of a 52-year-old man who was diagnosed with the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) in accordance with consortium criteria from 1998. The diagnosis was questioned in the years of follow-up, since neuroimaging showed no abnormalities and no deterioration of clinical symptoms was seen. After 3 years, the diagnosis was withdrawn after the psychiatrist concluded that his low intelligence, combined with a cluster C personality and relational problems, had caused his altered behaviour. Diagnosing bvFTD is challenging because of its clinical resemblance to neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses. The new bvFTD consortium criteria from 2011 emphasize the importance of distinguishing possible and probable bvFTD. This can reduce the number of incorrect diagnoses. We present a flow chart based on these criteria, which could aid in improving the diagnostic process.