MENTAL CHANGES FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF THE RIGHT CEREBRAL HEMISPHERE FOR BRAIN TUMOR

The relatively mild mental changes resulting from hemispherectomy in this case are in keeping with previous experimental and clinical studies which indicate that in primates and man the higher cerebral functions are more severely altered by bilateral frontal lobe injury than by corresponding or even more extensive lesions of any other areas.

Abstract

1. A case of removal of the right cerebral hemisphere for brain tumor is reported. 2. From a neurological standpoint, the return of considerable motor function and some sensory function on the opposite side of the body is of interest. 3. Mental changes including impairment of recent memory, emotional instability and diminution in the normal inhibitions, are present six months after the operation, but the patient's intellectual resources, personality and ability to meet the demands of her daily life have not been greatly altered. 4. The relatively mild mental changes resulting from hemispherectomy in this case are in keeping with previous experimental and clinical studies which indicate that in primates and man the higher cerebral functions are more severely altered by bilateral frontal lobe injury than by corresponding or even more extensive lesions of any other areas.