Cognitive and social functioning in children and adolescents after the removal of craniopharyngioma

Abstract

Despite normal intellectual abilities and relatively good physical condition, children after removal of craniopharyngioma experience many difficulties in everyday life regarding social relationships, emotion control and learning. The analogy between the above-mentioned symptoms and symptoms observed in patients after infantile damage in the frontal area leads to an observation that, apart from endocrine disorders, damage to the frontal lobe caused by the growth of tumour and operational intervention is of crucial importance to the further development of children with craniopharyngioma.

Endocrine aspects and sequel in patients with craniopharyngioma

“…Neurocognitive dysfunction, including memory deficits (14,(59)(60)(61)(62)(63), has been described as an important contributor to the increased morbidity among CP patients. Problems with concentration, memory and executive function potentially affecting professional occupation and school performance have received more attention in recent years (8,9,14,62). Studies have shown that up to 50% of CP patients have psychosocial impairment on long-term follow-up (14), and up to one-quarter of patients are unable to work in their previous occupation or they are behind in school (9).…”

Craniopharyngioma – Pediatric Management

“…Long-term neurocognitive complications following treatment for childhood craniopharyngioma include cognitive problems, particularly those affecting executive function, attention, episodic memory, and working memory (Cavazzuti et al, 1983;Riva et al, 1998;Carpentieri et al, 2001;Poretti et al, 2004;Sands et al, 2005;Kiehna et al, 2006;Crom et al, 2010;Ondruch et al, 2011). In a recent report, Özyurt and coworkers provided first evidence that hypothalamic damage impacts on neural correlates of memory retrieval in medial prefrontal cortex, indicating a less efficient use of a prefrontal area involved in executive control processes.…”

“…Neurocognitive deficits include memory disturbances, slower cognitive speed, attention problems, and behavioral instability (Cavazzuti et al, 1983;Colangelo et al, 1990;Carpentieri et al, 2001;Kiehna et al, 2006;Crom et al, 2010;Ondruch et al, 2011). While intact intellectual functioning has been reported in up to 82% of patients, visual memory is impaired despite normal visual-spatial abilities (Crom et al, 2010;Ondruch et al, 2011).…”

“…Behavioral questionnaires indicate a high rate of psychopathological symptoms, including depression, withdrawal, and anxiety. The most frequent problems in children's everyday functioning include difficulties in learning, inability to control emotions, unsatisfactory peer relationships, and concerns regarding physical appearance and body image (Crom et al, 2010;Ondruch et al, 2011).…”

Association of pituitary stalk management with endocrine outcomes and recurrence in microsurgery of craniopharyngiomas: A meta-analysis

“…[1] Approximately 4% of intracranial tumors are craniopharyngiomas [2][3][4]. However, it is the most common congenital and saddle region tumor in the children [5].…”