BACKGROUND: Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) has been reported as a possible sequela following surgical removal of posterior fossa tumours (PFT). Dysphagia may result in aspiration of food/fluid leading to respiratory tract infection, placing the patient at considerable health risk. No prospective studies have investigated dysphagia pre and post-surgical removal of PFT. The present study aimed to document the presence, severity and characteristics of dysphagia pre and post-surgical resection of PFT, and to determine whether children were managing a normal oral diet (i.e. a measure of functional swallowing ability) at two months post-surgery. METHODS: Dysphagia was assessed using a clinical bedside evaluation in 11 participants (8 M; aged 3 years 6 months to 13 years 5 months) pre (within 3-5 days) and post-surgery (within 1-2 weeks). Return to normal oral feeding was documented at two months post-surgery via a parent telephone interview. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No participant had dysphagia pre-surgically. Seventy three percent (8/11) had dysphagia at 1-2 weeks post-surgery, primarily characterized by impaired lip closure (8/8), poor mastication (8/8), and inefficient oral transit (8/8). Whilst dysphagia severity was largely mild (6/8) in presentation, data suggest that assessment and monitoring of this disorder may be required in the acute phase post-surgery. Overall however, prognosis appeared positive, with 75% (6/8) of participants managing a full oral diet at 2 months post-surgery.
BACKGROUND:Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) has been reported as a possible sequela following surgical removal of posterior fossa tumours (PFT). Dysphagia may result in aspiration of food/fluid leading to respiratory tract infection, placing the patient at considerable health risk. No prospective studies have investigated dysphagia pre and post-surgical removal of PFT. The present study aimed to document the presence, severity and characteristics of dysphagia pre and post-surgical resection of PFT, and to determine whether children were managing a normal oral diet (i.e. a measure of functional swallowing ability) at two months post-surgery. METHODS:Dysphagia was assessed using a clinical bedside evaluation in 11 participants (8 M; aged 3 years 6 months to 13 years 5 months) pre (within 3-5 days) and post-surgery (within 1-2 weeks). Return to normal oral feeding was documented at two months post-surgery via a parent telephone interview. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No participant had dysphagia pre-surgically. Seventy three percent (8/11) had dysphagia at 1-2 weeks post-surgery, primarily characterized by impaired lip closure (8/8), poor mastication (8/8), and inefficient oral transit (8/8). Whilst dysphagia severity was largely mild (6/8) in presentation, data suggest that assessment and monitoring of this disorder may be required in the acute phase post-surgery. Overall however, prognosis appeared positive, with 75% (6/8) of participants managing a full oral diet at 2 months post-surgery.
Authors: C E Catsman-Berrevoets; H R Van Dongen; P G Mulder; D Paz y Geuze; P F Paquier; M H Lequin Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 1999-12 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Lisa A Newman; Frederick A Boop; Robert A Sanford; Jerome W Thompson; Carrie K Temple; Christopher D Duntsch Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2006-06-08 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Sibi Rajendran; Joseph Antonios; Beth Solomon; H Jeffrey Kim; Tianxia Wu; James Smirniotopoulos; Gretchen Scott; Sarah Benzo; Christina Hayes; John D Heiss; Prashant Chittiboina Journal: J Neurol Surg B Skull Base Date: 2019-09-18
Authors: Daniel V Runco; Karen Wasilewski-Masker; Claire M Mazewski; Briana C Patterson; Ann C Mertens Journal: J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Date: 2021-11-01 Impact factor: 1.170