[Significance of serum prolactin determination in the differential diagnosis of psychogenic seizures--exemplified by 2 case reports].

Conversion neurotic bodily disorders manifest themselves mainly in the motor system (e.g. psychogenic paralyses and gait disturbances). Psychogenic seizures are observed as well; these may also become manifest as hystero-epilepsy association with an organic convulsive disease. The described symptoms "stimulate" a bodily process, so that the differential diagnosis frequently poses problems. A rapid and clear diagnosis is of decisive importance for a well aimed therapy. The determination of an increased prolactin content in serum in the postictal phase, expressing an epileptological event, constitutes an important element in separating a psychogenic from an organic seizure. The differential diagnosis of cerebral and psychogenic seizures should, in addition to identifying a possible psychopathological process, utilize this diagnostic tool. This will be demonstrated by presenting two cases of female adolescents with epileptic an psychogenic seizures.