Executive dysfunction in a case of transoral-frontal self-inflicted gunshot injury.
OBJECTIVE
This study presents an in-depth neuropsychological study of the consequences of a survivable transoral penetrating gunshot injury resulting in lesions to frontal lobe structures.


METHODS
A case study of a woman who sustained a self-inflicted transoral gunshot injury that resulted in focal pathology to the frontal lobes.


METHODS
Neuropsychological examination with a comprehensive battery of standard tests.


RESULTS
Striking contrasts in performance were found on tests of executive function relating to planning and problem-solving ability, with marked impairment on a problem-solving task involving an action plan. Intact performance was seen on tests of memory.


CONCLUSIONS
This case study demonstrates that transoral gunshot injury to the brain is survivable, though selective executive dysfunction may remain.
Kapur
Narinder
N
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. narinder.kapur@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
Hutchinson
Peter
P
Berry
Emma
E
Hawkins
Kari
K
Llewellyn
David
D
Wilson
Barbara
B
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000503:physiopathology*