Screening tests are not enough to detect hemineglect

• Main Author: Lopes,Manuel Alvim Leite
• Publication Date: 2007
• Other Authors: Ferreira,Hebert Pereira, Carvalho,Juliana Costa, Cardoso,Lídia, André,Charles
• Format: Review
• Language: eng
• Source: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria (Online)
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2007000700019
• topic: perceptual disorders; hemispatial neglect; stroke; diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To verify the sensitivity of the conventional subtests of the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) in the diagnosis of hemineglect after stroke. METHOD: One hundred and two patients with cerebral infarct or hemorrhage were prospectively evaluated. In 22, hemineglect was diagnosed using standard BIT criteria. The frequency of hemineglect using 6 commonly used screening subtests of this battery was assessed. RESULTS: Hemineglect would not be recognized in 10 patients if they were only screened using the line crossing test; this would be the case in 2 patients with the letter cancellation test; and in 4 patient with the line bisection test. Three patients would not be diagnosed even if both line crossing and line bisection tests were used. CONCLUSION: Hemineglect may not be recognized with single screening tests commonly used. The use of a standard battery is recommended to improve diagnostic sensitivity in individuals with various subtypes of hemineglect.