Brain tumors are one of the most common solid tumors in pediatric populations, with their treatments having significant neuropsychiatric impact.
To review the literature on neuropsychiatric sequelae after surgical resection of brain tumors in children and adolescents.
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 post-operatively over time.
The initial search yielded 15543 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, peri-operative complications, treatment types, and psychosocial factors. Cerebellar mutism, or posterior fossa syndrome, commonly co-occurred with emotional and behavioral dysregulation following posterior fossa resections. Depression, anxiety, and somatization were frequently grouped together as “distress”, with higher rates among pediatric brain tumor patients compared to 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 compared to peers. Post-traumatic stress disorder was highly prevalent and often interfered with social functioning. Delirium, eating disorders and longer-term outcomes received inadequate attention.
Identifying risk factors for and the impact of neuropsychiatric sequelae following pediatric brain tumor resection is important for prognostication and the development of tailored management strategies for these children and adolescents.

Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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