Cognitive and psychological disorders following whiplash injury: 2 case reports concerning the controversy between the organic versus the psychogenic etiology of symptoms
Ettlin, T.; Kischka, U.; Kaeser, H.E.
Schweizerische Rundschau für Medizin Praxis 78(36): 967-969
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 1013-2058 PMID: 2799169 Document Number: 344404
A couple who had experienced a whiplash-injury of the neck in the same accident, underwent neurological and neuropsychological examination two years after the trauma. The subjective complaints were very similar: head- and neck pain, vertigo, adynamia, sleep disturbances and severe disturbances of attention, concentration and memory. The neuropsychological examination of the husband demonstrated distinct deficits of attention, concentration and memory. The wife, however, showed positive signs of a neurotic-conversion behaviour. These case reports illustrate both sides of the controversy on the organic versus psychogenic etiology of the cerebral symptoms following whiplash-injury of the neck.