[Pseudodementia in frontal tumours (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuropsychology
• Oncology

Background:

• Personality changes are observed in patients with frontal lobe tumors.
• These changes can resemble symptoms of pseudodementia.
• Tumor characteristics like site, size, and histology influence disorder severity, independent of vascularization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate personality changes associated with frontal lobe tumors.
• To explore the relationship between tumor characteristics and the severity of personality disorders.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging techniques.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination of fifty patients with frontal lobe tumors.
• Symptomatological classification of observed personality changes.
• Analysis of tumor site, size, histological structure, and vascularization.

Main Results:

• Eighteen out of fifty patients exhibited significant personality changes.
• These personality alterations were sometimes the sole pathological sign, even with large tumors.
• Tumor vascularization did not correlate with the existence or severity of personality disorders.

Conclusions:

• Personality changes associated with frontal lobe tumors can be misdiagnosed as pseudodementia.
• Computerized axial tomography (CAT) has significantly improved early diagnosis, reducing delays to surgery.
• Timely diagnosis and intervention prevent excessive tumor growth and improve patient outcomes.