Neuropsychological findings in patients with intraventricular tumors.
BACKGROUND
Intraventricular tumors are quite rare and become symptomatic with hydrocephalus-related signs such as headache, double vision, and seizures. Also, most of the patients show neuropsychological deficits, especially memory problems and lack of attention.


METHODS
We reviewed the charts and computed tomographic/magnetic resonance images of 15 patients with tumors of the lateral and third ventricle, who were also examined by a neuropsychologist pre- and postoperatively. Neuropsychological testing included tests of attention, memory, executive functions, and concentration.


RESULTS
Between 1995 and 2003, 7 patients with colloid cysts of the third ventricle (3 men, 4 women; mean age, 38 years), 5 patients with meningiomas of the lateral ventricle (2 men, 3 women; mean age, 51 years), and 3 patients with astrocytomas and ependymoma (2 men, 1 woman; mean age, 38 years) were treated. All patients with colloid cysts and meningiomas showed mental changes, especially attention and memory deficits. Symptoms improved markedly after surgical intervention. The 3 patients with astrocytoma and ependymoma showed normal results pre- and postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropsychological testing is very useful in patients with intraventricular lesions and important for follow-up examinations. It should be included in every workup examination in this small patient group.
Buhl
Ralf
R
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany. buhlr@nch.uni-kiel.de
Huang
Hongguang
H
Gottwald
Birgit
B
Mihajlovic
Zoran
Z
Mehdorn
H Maximilian
HM
D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D001288:Attention; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies