Small orbitofrontal traumatic lesions detected by high resolution MRI in a patient with major behavioural changes.
We report a case of a male patient who showed personality changes and marked social problems after a traumatic brain injury. Although suspected to have lesions in the orbitofrontal cortex because of the typical characteristics of his behavioural change, lesions were not apparent using conventional imaging techniques. However, investigation using high-resolution MRI revealed lesions in the orbitofrontal cortex. Our case suggests that standard MRI scanning techniques may have only limited power. Hence, we stress the important role played by qualitative assessments of emotion, personality, and social behaviour in evaluating sequelae of traumatic orbitofrontal injuries.
Namiki
Chihiro
C
Human Brain Research Centre, Kyoto, Japan. cnamiki@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Yamada
Makiko
M
Yoshida
Hidefumi
H
Hanakawa
Takashi
T
Fukuyama
Hidenao
H
Murai
Toshiya
T
D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D004644:Emotions; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*