[Neuropsychological catamnesis in cases of intracranial aneurysm]

The authors analyzed the results of neuropsychological examinations in 30 cases in which a single intracranial aneurysm had been excluded from circulation. The neuropsychological assessment of the higher mental functions was carried out using a set of tests of A. R. Luria in all cases and repeated thrice, comparing the results with those of neurological examination and EEG. The condition of the patients was evaluated using a three-grade scale. In the group of cases with aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery a divergence was observed between the results of neuropsychological examination and neurological examination. The patients achieved not infrequently, very good and good Grades in neurological examination and unsatisfactory in neuropsychological examination and unsatisfactory in neuropsychological examination. A similar divergence was observed also when the aneurysm was situated in other cerebral arteries. On the other hand, considerable similarities were found between the neuropsychological assessment and the result of EEG (with regard to the location, of disturbances and their intensity). Neuropsychological examination made possible detection and determination of the dynamic development of defects in the functions of higher psychic activities inaccessible for routine neurological examination, but having a very important effect on the everyday functions of the patient.