title: Screening tests are not enough to detect hemineglect.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the sensitivity of the conventional subtests of the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) in the diagnosis of hemineglect after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and two patients with cerebral infarct or hemorrhage were prospectively evaluated. In 22, hemineglect was diagnosed using standard BIT criteria. The frequency of hemineglect using 6 commonly used screening subtests of this battery was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hemineglect would not be recognized in 10 patients if they were only screened using the line crossing test; this would be the case in 2 patients with the letter cancellation test; and in 4 patient with the line bisection test. Three patients would not be diagnosed even if both line crossing and line bisection tests were used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hemineglect may not be recognized with single screening tests commonly used. The use of a standard battery is recommended to improve diagnostic sensitivity in individuals with various subtypes of hemineglect.
authors.affiliation: Setor Neurologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manuel Alvim Leite
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Hebert Pereira
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Juliana Costa
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Lídia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: André
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*