Molineus A, Boxberger N, Redlich A, Vorwerk P. Time to diagnosis of brain tumors in children: a single-centre experience.
Pediatr Int 2013;
55:305-9. [PMID:
23480630 DOI:
10.1111/ped.12095]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to analyze the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) of children with brain tumors with regard to the parental and doctor's delay and the clinical symptoms.
METHODS
A retrospective review of all children with brain tumors diagnosed in a single centre over a period of 11 years was carried out.
RESULTS
Seventy-nine patients (35 boys, 44 girls), with a mean age of 9.2 years (0.2-23.5 years), were analyzed. PSI was 28 weeks with a parental delay of 11.1 weeks and a doctor's delay of 16.9 weeks. Main clinical symptoms were headache (66.7%), vomiting (57.7%), vision (46.2%) and gait (41.6) disorders and fatigue (41.0%) followed by other neurological signs.
CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors is often delayed in relation to the presenting symptoms. If parents report a combination of headache with other neurological abnormalities, a brain tumor should always be considered.
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