Negative electroretinogram in the differential diagnosis of malingering of night blindness in the military


Sobaci G., Erdem U., UYSAL Y., Gundogan F. Ç., Bayrakter M. Z.

Military Medicine, cilt.172, sa.4, ss.402-404, 2007 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 172 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2007
  • Doi Numarası: 10.7205/milmed.172.4.402
  • Dergi Adı: Military Medicine
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.402-404
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: We evaluated the value of unusual electroretinogram (ERG) findings (negative ERG, which is selective reduction in the amplitude of the b-wave) in the differential diagnosis of night blindness in the military. Methods: We surveyed 3 years of data. Presumptive and final clinical diagnoses before and after negative ERG recordings were evaluated. Results: A total of 495 ERGs were included. The mean age was 22 ± 2.5 years (range, 20-33 years). Twenty-two patients (4.4%) had negative ERG. Final clinical diagnoses could be made for all except two patients (9%). The diagnoses were congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) (14 patients), X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (five patients), and muscular dystrophy (one patient). Seven (50%) of 14 patients with CSNB had normal fundal appearance, symptoms of night blindness, and a presumptive clinical diagnosis of malingering before the ERG test. Conclusion: Negative ERG may prevent misdiagnosis of malingering for patients with CSNB with normal fundal appearance in the military. Copyright © by Association of Military Surgeons of U.S., 2007.