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Rapid recovery of motor and cognitive functions after resection of a right frontal lobe meningioma in a child

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide longitudinal data on neurological and neuropsychological restitution following resection of an extra-axial space-occupying lesion.

Case report

A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was utilised preoperatively and 1, 4, 11, and 24 months, respectively, after removal of a parasagittal meningioma compressing the right frontal lobe in a right-handed 6-year-old boy with average intelligence.

Results

Symptoms related to brain compression (left-sided hemiparesis, diplopia) resolved shortly after surgery. Recovery of specific cognitive functions (short- and long-term memory, attention, and dichotic listening performance) was more protracted.

Conclusion

Here, we illustrate the potential of a structured follow-up analysis, based on neuropsychological testing. We were able to distinguish separate time-courses for neurological functions but even more distinct within complex neuropsychological processes. This time-dependent recovery should be considered when designing longitudinal follow-up studies.

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Acknowledgements

This research was gratefully supported by Barnhuset in Göteborg, Sweden, to GC. We gratefully acknowledge Prof. Kenneth Hugdahl, Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway, and Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway, for his support and critical reading.

Disclosure

The authors do not report any conflict of interest concerning materials or methods used in this study or the findings identified in this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, University of Schleswig-Holstein/Campus Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Göran Carlsson, Markus Hufnagel & Alexander Claviez

  2. Department of Neuroradiology, University of Schleswig-Holstein/Campus Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Olav Jansen

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Schleswig-Holstein/Campus Kiel, Schwanenweg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Arya Nabavi

Authors
  1. Göran Carlsson
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  2. Markus Hufnagel
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  3. Olav Jansen
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  4. Alexander Claviez
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  5. Arya Nabavi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Göran Carlsson.

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Carlsson, G., Hufnagel, M., Jansen, O. et al. Rapid recovery of motor and cognitive functions after resection of a right frontal lobe meningioma in a child. Childs Nerv Syst 26, 105–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0984-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0984-6

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