Abstract
Purpose
To report the course of ataxia in children up to two years post-operatively, following surgical resection of a posterior fossa tumour (PFT).
Methods
Thirty-five children, (median age 9 years, range 4-15) having resection of PFT were assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS) and the mobility domain of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI-m) at initial post-operative period (baseline), three months, one year and two years post-operatively.
Results
Baseline median scores of the SARA and BARS were 8.5 (range 0-35.5), and 7 (0-25) respectively. Ataxia improved at three months (median SARA and BARS reduction 3.5 and 4 respectively). Additional gradual improvements in SARA were recorded at one (median reduction 2) and two years post-operatively (median reduction 0.5). Median baseline PEDI-m was 54.75 (range 15.2-100) with improvement at three months (median increase 36.95), and small improvement at one year (median increase 2.5) and two years (median increase 5.8).
Children with medulloblastoma and midline tumours (median baseline SARA 10 and 11 respectively) demonstrated more severe ataxia than children with low grade gliomas and unilateral tumours (median baseline SARA 7.5 and 6.5 respectively).
Conclusion
The largest improvement in ataxia scores and functional mobility scores is demonstrated within the first three months post-operatively but ongoing gradual improvement is observed at two years. Children with medulloblastoma and midline tumour demonstrated higher ataxia scores long term.
To report the course of ataxia in children up to two years post-operatively, following surgical resection of a posterior fossa tumour (PFT).
Methods
Thirty-five children, (median age 9 years, range 4-15) having resection of PFT were assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS) and the mobility domain of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI-m) at initial post-operative period (baseline), three months, one year and two years post-operatively.
Results
Baseline median scores of the SARA and BARS were 8.5 (range 0-35.5), and 7 (0-25) respectively. Ataxia improved at three months (median SARA and BARS reduction 3.5 and 4 respectively). Additional gradual improvements in SARA were recorded at one (median reduction 2) and two years post-operatively (median reduction 0.5). Median baseline PEDI-m was 54.75 (range 15.2-100) with improvement at three months (median increase 36.95), and small improvement at one year (median increase 2.5) and two years (median increase 5.8).
Children with medulloblastoma and midline tumours (median baseline SARA 10 and 11 respectively) demonstrated more severe ataxia than children with low grade gliomas and unilateral tumours (median baseline SARA 7.5 and 6.5 respectively).
Conclusion
The largest improvement in ataxia scores and functional mobility scores is demonstrated within the first three months post-operatively but ongoing gradual improvement is observed at two years. Children with medulloblastoma and midline tumour demonstrated higher ataxia scores long term.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Child's Nervous System |
| Early online date | 7 Jul 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Jul 2021 |
Keywords
- Paediatrics
- cerebellum
- rehabilitation