RESUMO
Background: Tumors of the nervous system are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. The diagnosis of CNS tumors is challenging due to non-specific symptoms in children which mimic other less serious illness.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of case records of patients from 0-18 years of age, who were diagnosed with CNS tumors for a period of 7 years.Results: Out of total 64 patients included in this study, 32 were females and 24 were males. The mean age was 13.2 years. The most common clinical presentation in patients with brain tumors was headache (92.3%) followed by visual symptoms in the form of blurring or loss of vision (42.3%) and swaying while walking (32.6%). The overall mean symptom interval for all patients was 274.8 days (approx. 9 months) ranging from 7-1820 days. In the present study out of total 64 patients, 54 were brain tumors (35 supratentorial and 19 infratentorial) and 10 were spinal tumors. The most common tumor location was cerebellum (21.8%) followed by cerebral cortex, spine and sellar area. Based on histopathology the most common tumor type in our study was astrocytoma. There was no significant correlation of symptom interval with age and gender but was significantly associated with location and tumor grade.Conclusions: Early referral to centers with appropriate facilities will help, as many pediatric CNS tumors are low grade with better survival.
RESUMO
Background: Seizures are common in pediatric age group and less than 1/3rd of seizures in children are caused by epilepsy. Aim of present study was to analyze the etiological factors and clinical profile of new onset seizures in children aged 3-12 years.Methods: This was a prospective study done at a tertiary care center of south India. Authors analyzed 98 children aged 3-12 years presenting with new onset seizures. Proper history and investigations including EEG, and CT brain were done to confirm the etiology.Results: Out of 98 children 51 were 3-5 yrs of age and 47 were 6-12 years. 66.3% had generalized seizure and 33.6% had partial seizure. Partial seizure were more common in 5-12 years of age. Intracranial infections were the leading cause (73/98) which included neurotuberculosis (26/73), NCC (20), bacterial meningitis (12), cerebral malaria (8) and viral encephalitis (7). Intracranial infections' were the' leading cause in both age groups. Space occupying lesions were more common in 6-12 years (46.8%) as compared to 3-5 years (19.6%). NCC and Tuberculoma were the leading CT findings in both age groups. There was significantly high incidence of focal EEG changes in partial seizure group compared to generalized seizure group.Conclusions: Intracranial infections were leading cause of new onset seizures especially GTCS. Good clinical evaluation and judicious use of investigations should be ensured. CT brain and EEG are more likely to be informative in partial seizures than in generalized seizures.