Evaluating predictors of successful postoperative day 1 discharge following posterior fossa tumor resection

INTRODUCTION: Current trends in surgical neuro-oncology have shown that early discharges are both safe and feasible with shorter lengths of stay (LOS) associated with fewer thromboembolic complications, less hospital-acquired infections, reduced costs, and greater patient satisfaction. Traditionally, infratentorial tumor resections have been associated with longer LOS and limited data exists evaluating predictors of early discharge in these patients. The objective was to assess patients undergoing posterior fossa craniotomies for tumor resection and identify variables associated with a postoperative day 1 (POD1) discharge and determine any differences in outcomes and readmission rates. METHODS: A retrospective review of posterior fossa craniotomies for tumor resection at our institution was performed from 2011 to 2020. Laser ablations, craniotomies for non-tumoral pathologies, and biopsies were excluded. Complete demographic, clinical, surgical and postoperative data was collected for each patient. RESULTS: 173 patients were identified and 25 (14.5%) were discharged on POD1. Median length of stay was 6 days. The POD1 discharges had significantly better preoperative Karnofsky performance scores (p<0.001) and modified Rankin scores (p=0.002) and less frequently presented emergently (p=0.006) or with preoperative neurologic deficits (p=0.021). No statistically significant difference in 30-day readmissions and rates of PE, UTI, and DVT were found between the POD1 discharge cohort and those discharged later. Univariate logistic regression identified better preoperative functional status, elective admission, and lack of preoperative hydrocephalus as independent predictors of POD1 discharge however only the latter remained significant in the multivariable model (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Discharging patients on POD1 is feasible following posterior fossa tumor resections and does not introduce any significant undue risk or result in higher readmissions. Although we found that the only independent predictor for a longer LOS was preoperative hydrocephalus, larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Intracranial epidural hematoma after use of a 3-pin head clamp in a pediatric case with posterior fossa tumor and hydrocephalus: A case report

The head clamp system is one of the indispensable equipment of neurosurgery in terms of stabilizing the head and positioning it. In addition, in neurosurgery clinics, the use of pin head clamp is required to use the navigation system effectively. In pediatric cases, complications after the use of pins head clamp are rare, as reported in the literature. This paper presents a pediatric patient with posterior fossa tumor and hydrocephalus, who developed depression fracture and epidural hematoma after the use of Mayfield 3-pin clamp head. For this reason, the patient underwent emergency surgery a second time and the epidural hematoma was evacuated to obtain decompression. Epidural bleeding, which is a complication of the pinned clamped head, is frequently described in the literature, often in the pediatric cases accompanied by posterior fossa tumor and hydrocephalus. In this type of pediatric cases, a safe study for the use of pin clamp head is not yet available in the literature.

Development and application of a diagnostic and severity scale to grade post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome

The post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) affects about one-third of children and adolescents following surgical removal of a posterior fossa tumor (PFT). According to the Posterior Fossa Society consensus working definition, CMS is characterized by delayed-onset mutism/reduced speech and emotional lability after cerebellar or 4th ventricle tumor surgery in children, and is frequently accompanied by additional features such as hypotonia and oropharyngeal dysfunction/dysphagia. The main objective of this work was to develop a diagnostic scale to grade CMS duration and severity. Thirty consecutively referred subjects, aged 1–17 years (median 8 years, IQR 3–10), were evaluated with the proposed Post-Operative Pediatric CMS Survey after surgical resection of a PFT and, in case of CMS, for 30 days after the onset (T0) or until symptom remission. At day 30 (T1), CMS was classified into mild, moderate, or severe according to the proposed scale. CMS occurred in 13 patients (43%, 95% C.I.: 25.5–62.6%), with mild severity in 4 cases (31%), moderate in 4 (31%), and severe in 5 (38%). At T1, longer symptom persistence was associated with greater severity (p = 0.01). Greater severity at T0 predicted greater severity at T1 (p = 0.0001). Children with a midline tumor location and those aged under 5 years at diagnosis were at higher risk of CMS (p = 0.025 and p = 0.008, respectively). In conclusion, the proposed scale is a simple and applicable tool for estimating the severity of CMS at its onset, monitoring its course over time, and providing an early prognostic stratification to guide treatment decisions. What is Known:• Post-operative pediatric Cerebellar Mutism Syndrome (CMS) is a complex phenomenon with a wide spectrum of symptoms that may manifest in children undergoing the resection of a posterior fossa tumor (PFT) and that can result into long-term impairment. What is New:• This study developed and pilot-tested an easily applicable diagnostic and severity scale to grade the duration and the severity of symptoms of the CMS.• The proposed scale was found to be a sensitive instrument to identify even mild CMS presentations.• By scoring not only the duration but also the severity of symptoms the scale allows a more accurate prognostic stratification for an optimal planning of clinical and rehabilitative interventions.

Tandem Gait test – kinematics and temporal parameters at normal children and patients survived after posterior fossa tumor

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A-43 Pediatric Infratentorial Anaplastic Ependymoma: A Case Study

Objective Ependymoma is the third most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and often presents posteriorly. Understanding of long-term outcomes of pediatric posterior fossa tumor and treatment is required to maximize developmental trajectory. This case illustrates cognitive correlates of pediatric posterior fossa tumor and treatment in an adolescent without cerebellar mutism or psychiatric co-morbidities. Repeated post-treatment assessments allowed for characterization of initial effects of treatment over time. Method The patient, diagnosed with an infratentorial anaplastic ependymoma at age 15, presented for initial neuropsychological evaluation status-post craniotomy, ventricular drain placement, posterior fossa tumor resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recovery was complicated by cranial nerve palsies, dysphasia, and dysarthria. Repeat assessment was conducted 13 months later. Interim treatment included three cycles of maintenance chemotherapy. Aside from moderate dysarthria, the patient denied cognitive concerns each evaluation. Results Attention, working memory, planning, problem solving, language, reasoning, and motor speed/dexterity were within expectations at initial evaluation without deficits in academic or socioemotional functioning. Visual encoding/organization and processing speed were below expectations. Findings at follow-up revealed marked declines in bilateral motor speed and dexterity. Conclusion Weaknesses in visual organization and motor functioning are consistent with expected neurocognitive correlates of pediatric posterior fossa tumor and resection, particularly with cerebellar involvement. Additional motoric slowing is associated with white matter changes and often observed after cancer treatment. Longitudinal follow-up illustrated the potential for neurocognitive resilience in pediatric posterior fossa tumor treatment in the face of significant motor dysfunction. Nevertheless, late-effects of radiation and chemotherapy may manifest in early adulthood and must be monitored in pediatric patients.