Related Experiment Videos
Tumor-related epilepsy in children
H Patel1, B P Garg, V Salanova
1Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
Journal of Child Neurology
|April 9, 2001
Summary
Diagnosing brain tumors in children with seizures is often delayed by non-specific symptoms and imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for early detection in partial epilepsies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Seizures in children can be a symptom of underlying cerebral tumors.
- Delays in diagnosing brain tumors contribute to increased morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors causing delayed diagnosis of cerebral tumors in pediatric patients with seizures.
- To evaluate surgical outcomes for children with cerebral tumors and seizures.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year retrospective review of 15 pediatric patients with cerebral tumors and seizures.
- Analysis of seizure duration, neurological examination findings, and diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) results.
- Assessment of post-surgical seizure control and complications.
Main Results:
- Mean seizure duration before diagnosis was 37 months.
- Most children (93%) lacked focal neurological deficits.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected tumors in all patients, while computed tomography (CT) identified them in 64%.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) showed ipsilateral focal abnormalities in 73% of cases.
- No surgical mortality occurred.
- Eighty percent of patients achieved seizure freedom or rare seizures post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Delayed diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors is linked to non-focal neurological exams and delayed neuroimaging.
- Head MRI is recommended as the primary diagnostic tool for partial epilepsies in children.
- Surgery can lead to significant seizure control in pediatric brain tumor patients.