Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum disorder is a complex and heterogeneous inborn condition affecting primarily aural, oral, and manibular development with an estimated incidence of between 1/3500 and 1/26 000 births. It is thought to be connected to the development of the first and second branchial arch. It may additionally affect the skeletal system, kidneys, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and eye. Familial occurrence has been reported, but most cases seem to be sporadic.1 Structural CNS and neurological abnormalities occur often, but with great variability.2 Mental retardation seems to be a common feature,1 but other relevant psychiatric disorders have not been reported.

We present what seems to be the first published case of a patient with an organic schizophreniform disorder and oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum disorder.

A 27 year old man was referred for psychiatric treatment by his general practitioner. The patient reported intermittent speech problems since the age of 9 which, he was unshakably convinced, were the effect of “electrosmog”. He would often smell strange and sickening odours originating in his mother’s kitchen that nobody else would notice and were causing his problems. Officially he was studying business …