Rebecka Mikkelsen1, Linn Nilsen Rødevand1, Ulrikke Straume Wiig2, Sverre Morten Zahl3,4, Torhild Berntsen5, Anne-Britt Skarbø5, Arild Egge2, Eirik Helseth2, Stein Andersson1,6, Knut Wester7,8. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 3. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Aalesund Hospital, Aalesund, Norway. 4. Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences for Children, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 6. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 7. Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. kgwe@helse-bergen.no. 8. Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway. kgwe@helse-bergen.no.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Long-term impact of benign external hydrocephalus (BEH) on cognition is largely unknown, and indication for neurosurgical CSF diversion procedure is debated. This study reports neuropsychological and psychosocial function in operated and non-operated BEH children. METHODS: Eighty-six children (76 males) between 8 and 18 years (mean 13.9) diagnosed with BEH before 12 months were included, of whom 30.2 % were operated. Participants completed neuropsychological tests and questionnaires covering quality of life (PedsQL) and executive function (BRIEF). RESULTS: Both operated and non-operated BEH children performed significantly below normative means on several neuropsychological tests. The children scored themselves higher than the norm average on PedsQL; however, the parents reported life quality comparable to other children. Operated children performed poorer compared with non-operated children on tests of psychomotor speed, attention span, executive function, motor speed and coordination, and on the BRIEF subscale Monitoring. Operated children, but not their parents, reported more problems on PedsQL subscale School than non-operated children. DISCUSSION: Children with BEH display long-term subtle neurocognitive difficulties. Non-operated children performed significantly better on some neuropsychological measures and reported less psychosocial problems. This difference may be caused by a selection bias: neurosurgical intervention was more likely in children with clinically more pronounced symptoms.
INTRODUCTION: Long-term impact of benign external hydrocephalus (BEH) on cognition is largely unknown, and indication for neurosurgical CSF diversion procedure is debated. This study reports neuropsychological and psychosocial function in operated and non-operated BEH children. METHODS: Eighty-six children (76 males) between 8 and 18 years (mean 13.9) diagnosed with BEH before 12 months were included, of whom 30.2 % were operated. Participants completed neuropsychological tests and questionnaires covering quality of life (PedsQL) and executive function (BRIEF). RESULTS: Both operated and non-operated BEH children performed significantly below normative means on several neuropsychological tests. The children scored themselves higher than the norm average on PedsQL; however, the parents reported life quality comparable to other children. Operated children performed poorer compared with non-operated children on tests of psychomotor speed, attention span, executive function, motor speed and coordination, and on the BRIEF subscale Monitoring. Operated children, but not their parents, reported more problems on PedsQL subscale School than non-operated children. DISCUSSION: Children with BEH display long-term subtle neurocognitive difficulties. Non-operated children performed significantly better on some neuropsychological measures and reported less psychosocial problems. This difference may be caused by a selection bias: neurosurgical intervention was more likely in children with clinically more pronounced symptoms.
Entities:
Keywords:
Benign external hydrocephalus (BEH); Cognition; Neuropsychology; Psychosocial function; Quality of life
Authors: I-Chan Huang; Lindsay A Thompson; Yueh-Yun Chi; Caprice A Knapp; Dennis A Revicki; Michael Seid; Elizabeth A Shenkman Journal: Value Health Date: 2009 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 5.725
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