Neuropsychiatric Symptoms After Brain Tumor Resection in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

Alvin Keng; Donna E Stewart; Kathleen Ann Sheehan

doi:10.1016/j.jaclp.2021.06.007

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms After Brain Tumor Resection in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry. 2022 Mar-Apr;63(2):110-118. doi: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2021.06.007. Epub 2021 Jul 3.

Authors

Alvin Keng¹, Donna E Stewart², Kathleen Ann Sheehan²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: alvin.keng@mail.utoronto.ca.
² Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 34229094
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaclp.2021.06.007

Abstract

Background: Brain tumors are one of the most common solid tumors in pediatric populations, with their treatments having significant neuropsychiatric impact.

Objective: The objective of this study was to review the literature on neuropsychiatric sequelae after surgical resection of brain tumors in children and adolescents.

Methods: Using a scoping method, we reviewed empirical articles describing pediatric patients with brain tumors who underwent partial or total resection and examined major neuropsychiatric domains postoperatively over time.

Results: The initial search yielded 15,543 articles. After duplicate removal, abstract screening, and review, 44 articles were included. Cognitive deficits were the most widely studied outcomes and found to be associated with tumor location, operative variables, perioperative complications, treatment types, and psychosocial factors. Cerebellar mutism, or posterior fossa syndrome, commonly co-occurred with emotional and behavioral dysregulation after posterior fossa resections. Depression, anxiety, and somatization were frequently grouped together as "distress," with higher rates among pediatric patients with brain tumor than among healthy peers. Problematic school behaviors, antisocial, and attention-deficit traits were increased; however, several other behaviors (e.g., risky sexual behaviors, substance use) were equal or lower when compared to peers. Posttraumatic stress disorder was highly prevalent and often interfered with social functioning. Delirium, eating disorders, and longer-term outcomes received inadequate attention.

Conclusion: Identifying risk factors of neuropsychiatric sequelae and their impact after pediatric brain tumor resection is important for prognostication and the development of tailored management strategies for these children and adolescents.

Keywords: child and adolescent psychiatry; consultation-liaison psychiatry; neuropsychiatry; psychooncology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Brain Neoplasms* / complications
Brain Neoplasms* / surgery
Child
Craniotomy / adverse effects
Hemispherectomy* / adverse effects
Humans
Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
Postoperative Complications / etiology
Psychosurgery* / adverse effects