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Pre and post-surgical dysphagia outcome associated with posterior fossa tumour in children

  • Clinical-Patient Studies
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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Kim Phipps (Research Coordinator for Neurosurgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust), for her assistance in recruitment, for obtaining medical data on each participant.

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Correspondence to Angela Tamsin Morgan.

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Morgan, A.T., Sell, D., Ryan, M. et al. Pre and post-surgical dysphagia outcome associated with posterior fossa tumour in children. J Neurooncol 87, 347–354 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-008-9524-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-008-9524-6

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