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Psychogenic sensory loss.

L A Rolak1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|November 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Commonly cited signs of psychogenic sensory loss, such as midline splitting and diminished forehead vibration, were evaluated. These findings were observed in both psychogenic and organic cases, indicating they do not reliably differentiate between the two.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Hemifacial numbness is a common neurological symptom.
  • Certain sensory findings are traditionally associated with psychogenic (functional) sensory loss.
  • Distinguishing between organic and psychogenic causes of sensory loss can be challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the diagnostic utility of two specific sensory findings in differentiating psychogenic from organic hemifacial numbness.
  • To challenge the conventional belief that midline splitting and diminished forehead vibration are exclusive to psychogenic sensory loss.

Main Methods:

  • One hundred consecutive patients with hemifacial numbness were assessed.
  • Evaluation included testing for midline splitting of sensation to pinprick.
  • Assessment also involved testing for diminished vibratory sensation on the affected forehead.

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Main Results:

  • Twenty patients had psychogenic complaints, and 80 had organic lesions.
  • Midline splitting occurred in 20% of psychogenic cases and 7.5% of organic cases (p = NS).
  • Diminished vibration occurred in 95% of psychogenic cases and 86% of organic cases (p = NS).

Conclusions:

  • The tested "nonphysiologic" sensory findings (midline splitting, diminished vibration) are not reliable indicators to distinguish psychogenic from organic sensory loss.
  • These findings challenge established clinical beliefs regarding the diagnosis of functional neurological disorders.
  • Further research is needed to identify accurate diagnostic markers for psychogenic sensory deficits.