Related Experiment Videos
Blindness in children with neuroblastoma
A F Belgaumi1, W M Kauffman, J J Jenkins
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-2794, USA.
Cancer
|November 20, 1997
Summary
Orbital neuroblastoma metastases can cause vision loss in children, but blindness is rare. Early chemotherapy is key for treating neuroblastoma and its eye complications, especially in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Neuro-oncology
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is a common pediatric extracranial solid tumor.
- Orbital metastases are frequent, causing signs like proptosis and ecchymosis.
- Blindness due to orbital neuroblastoma is a rare but significant complication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of visual loss in children with neuroblastoma.
- To identify associated physical findings, treatments, and outcomes.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for preventing or reversing vision loss.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records from 1971-1994.
- Analysis of patient charts, diagnostic imaging, and autopsy materials.
- Identification of patients who developed visual loss during neuroblastoma treatment.
Main Results:
- 15 out of 450 neuroblastoma patients developed visual loss.
- Visual loss occurred at various stages: diagnosis, primary therapy, recurrence, or post-therapy.
- Proptosis and periorbital ecchymosis were common; steroids and radiation showed limited efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Multiagent chemotherapy is the primary treatment for neuroblastoma and its ophthalmologic issues.
- Radiation and steroids had limited success in preventing or reversing vision loss in this series.
- Early intervention is crucial, particularly for infants and children under 2, who have better cure potential.