Cognitive deficits in patients with brain tumor / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the present status and progress of clinical research on the cognitive effects caused by different types of brain tumors and common treatments.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The data used in this review were mainly from PubMed articles published in English from 1990 to Febuary 2012. Research terms were "cognitive deficits" or "cognitive dysfunction".</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articals including any information about brain tumor related cognitive deficits were selected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It is widely accepted that brain tumors and related treatments can impair cognitive function across many domains, and can impact on patients' quality of life. Tumor localization, lateralization, surgery, drugs, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are all thought to be important factors in this process. However, some conflicting findings regarding brain tumor-related cognitive deficits have been reported. It can be difficult to determine the mechanism of these treatments, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, antiepileptics, and steroids. Future research is needed to clarify these potential treatment effects.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cognitive function is important for patients with brain tumor. Much more focus has been paid on this field. It should be regarded as an important prognostic index for the patients with brain tumor, and neuropsychological tests should be used in regular examinations.</p>

Frontal intraparenchymal schwannoma

A 39-year-old female had been subject to headache, and intermittent seizures for 9 years and decreasing memory for one year, without obvious neurological signs. An MRI revealed a 2x2 cm contrast-enhanced Wiaa in the frontal lobe, with a cyst and peritumoral edema, which was not attached to the dura or falx. Preoperatively, it was diagnosed as a glioma. Total surgical removal of the lesion led to a favorable result. Post-operative histo-pathological examination showed characteristic Antoni A and B areas consistent with intraparenchymal schwannoma. Intraparenchymal schwannoma is an extremely uncommon lesion, which is seen mostly in young adults and children. The main clinical symptoms include rising-intracranial-pressure-related manifestations and associated seizure disorders. The possible developmental origins, histological, imaging features, and protocols of treatment for this entity are discussed