Impact of surgery and adjuvant therapy on balance function in children and adolescents with cerebellar tumors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

This study examined the effects of posterior fossa tumor surgery and concomitant irradiation and/or chemotherapy on the long-term recovery of balance function in children and adolescent patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

22 patients, treated during childhood for a benign (n = 14) or malignant cerebellar tumor (n = 8), were examined in chronic state (mean latency between surgery and testing: 7.7 years, range 3 - 17 years). Postural impairments were assessed with static and dynamic posturography. All cerebellar lesions were documented by standardized and normalized MRI data. Healthy age- and gender-matched subjects served as a control group.

RESULTS:

Comparing the balance function of (i) children with or without affected cerebellar nuclei and (ii) children with and without adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy revealed that damage to the cerebellar nuclei had more impact on neurological impairment than concomitant tumor therapy. Balance abnormalities were most pronounced when a lesion affected the fastigial nucleus. Chemotherapy with its neurological side effect was associated with enhanced postural sway in only two children with malignant tumors.

CONCLUSIONS:

The study results indicate that the sparing of the deep cerebellar nuclei had the greatest impact on the recovery of balance function in pediatric patients treated for both a benign or malignant cerebellar tumor.

• Authors: B Schoch, J Konczak, A Dimitrova, E R Gizewski, R Wieland, D Timmann
• Journal: Neuropediatrics (Neuropediatrics) Vol. 37 Issue 6 Pg. 350-8 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 0174-304X [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17357037 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Cerebellar Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Cerebellar Nuclei (drug effects, pathology, radiation effects, surgery)
• Cerebellum (drug effects, radiation effects, surgery)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Cranial Irradiation
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
• Infant
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Neurologic Examination (drug effects)
• Postoperative Complications (diagnosis, pathology)
• Postural Balance (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Radiotherapy, Adjuvant