Forensic aspect of the frontal lobe syndrome: a case report

In this case report, it is discussed a patient with frontal lobe syndrome (FLS) who was subjected to forensic and psychiatric observation. A 39 year-old woman have presented severe disabilities in daily life activities after traumatic brain injury. She showed slowness, reduction of emotion and apathy at her clinical evaluation. Despite the notably impairment in social behavior, she was unaware of this situation. Computerized tomography of head was conducted atrophy of frontal lobe. It was diagnosed as a FLS. FLS consists of two distinct clinical syndromes. The orbitofrontal syndrome is the most well known and consists of major antisocial behavior. Apathetic states lie at the other end of the syndrome. Psychiatry generally focuses to orbitofrontal syndrome in criminal behaviour. However in this case, it is discussed a patient with apathetic FLS in terms of forensic psychiatry. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2011; 12(2.000): 160-162]