Pituitary volumes are changed in patients with conversion disorder

Abstract

Our study group previously measured pituitary volumes and found a relationship between somatoform disoders and pituitary volumes. Therefore, in conversion disorder, another somatoform disorder, we hypothesized that pituitary gland volumes would be reduced. Twenty female patients and healthy controls were recruited to the present investigation. The volumes of the pituitary gland were determined by using a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. We found that the pituitary gland volumes of the patients with conversion disorder were significantly smaller than those of healthy control subjects. In the patients with conversion disorder but not in the healthy control group, a significant negative correlation between the duration of illness and pituitary gland volume was determined. In summary, in the present study, we suggest that the patients with conversion disorder have smaller pituitary volumes compared to those of healthy control subjects. Further studies should confirm our data and ascertain whether volumetric alterations determined in the patients with conversion disorder can be changed with treatment or if they change over time.

Magnetic resonance imaging histogram analysis of corpus callosum in a functional neurological disorder

“…Since the 19th century, it has been considered that there was no anatomic and functional pathology in the brains of patients with conversion disorder, and the absence of abnormal findings in imaging results was a supportive factor in the diagnosis of FND for the clinician. In recent years, however, study findings indicated structural and functional changes in regions of the brain associated with the symptoms [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][26][27][28]. Corpus callosum provides integration between the hemispheres by connecting related cerebral cortex regions in the brain [8,9].…”

“…The presence of one or more voluntary, motor or sensory function changes and incompatibility and discrepancy between neurological or general medical conditions that may explain this appearance are included in the diagnostic criteria [2]. Although the findings reported in structural and functional brain imaging studies available in the literature did not sufficiently explain the physiopathology of FND [3], certain studies suggested and supported the presence of significant brain findings accompanying FND symptoms [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…These findings have led to an emphasis on disorders associated with FND symptoms that could be identified with brain imaging and neurophysiological measurements [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Konversi̇yon Bozukluğu Olan Hastalarda Serebellar Hacmi̇n Sağlikli Kontrollerle Karşilaştirilmasi

“…Literatürde eski tarihli yazılarda bedensel semptomlarla ortaya çıkan psişik bozuklukların daha önceki ruhsal travmaların fiziksel etkileri olarak meydana geldiğinden bahsedilirken (23), son zamanlarda KB semptomlarının spesifik yapısal (anatomik) ve fonksiyonel beyin korelasyonları gösterilmeye başlanmıştır (9,12,13). Yapısal beyin görüntüleme çalışmaları (bilgisayarlı tomografi, BT; manyetik rezonans görüntüleme, MRG ) beynin anatomisi hakkında bilgi verirken (9) fonksiyonel görüntüleme çalışmaları ise (tek foton emisyon tomografi, SPECT) beynin canlı etkinliği ve aktivitesi hakkında bilgi vermektedir (8).…”

“…Çalışmalardan elde edilen bulgular toplu olarak, KB olan hastalarda önemli beyin bulgularının eşlik edebileceğini düşündüren ve destekleyen niteliktedir (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). KB tanılı hastalarda yapılan görüntüleme çalışmalarında KB ile yapısal beyin anormallikleri arasında ilişki olabileceği bulgularının varlığı (5,7,12,13) daha spesifik alanların detaylı incelenmesine ihtiyaç duyulduğunu göstermektedir. Bu tür bulguların ilerisi için olası etkisi sınıflandırma sistemlerinde KB'nun tanımlanma biçimi üzerine olabilir.…”