title: Negative electroretinogram in the differential diagnosis of malingering of night blindness in the military.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the value of unusual electroretinogram (ERG) findings (negative ERG, which is selective reduction in the amplitude of the b-wave) in the differential diagnosis of night blindness in the military.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 3 years of data. Presumptive and final clinical diagnoses before and after negative ERG recordings were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 495 ERGs were included. The mean age was 22 +/- 2.5 years (range, 20-33 years). Twenty-two patients (4.4%) had negative ERG. Final clinical diagnoses could be made for all except two patients (9%). The diagnoses were congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) (14 patients), X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (five patients), and muscular dystrophy (one patient). Seven (50%) of 14 patients with CSNB had normal fundal appearance, symptoms of night blindness, and a presumptive clinical diagnosis of malingering before the ERG test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Negative ERG may prevent misdiagnosis of malingering for patients with CSNB with normal fundal appearance in the military.
authors.affiliation: Gülhane Military Medical Academy and Medical School, 06018, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gungor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sobaci
authors.forename: Uzeyir
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Erdem
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: Fatih Cakir
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Gundogan
authors.forename: Mehmet Zeki
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Bayraktar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D004596:Electroretinography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies