Frontal agraphia, (including a case report).

Abstract

Frontal agraphia has always been a subject of interest, although very few documented case reports have been published. A 57 year old male clerk, suffering from adenocarcinoma of the signoid colon, presented with mild headache and difficulty in writing. Minor features of dysphasia could be detected, but there were no alexia, agnosia or apraxia. Brain scan and angiography confirmed a metastasis in the posterior part of the left prefrontal region. The patient was able to write single letters, and had no difficulty with automatic writing or copying. The writing of words and of sentences was more affected. After a brief review of the literature and discussion, the authors concluded that frontal agraphia is related to frontal lobe diorders, especially the inability to translate verbal signals into motor behaviour (i.e. writing).