Systematic review and case series of neuropsychological functioning after epilepsy surgery in children with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNET)

RationaleThe purposes of this study were to 1) conduct a review of neuropsychological (NP) outcomes after epilepsy surgery for DNET and 2) present pre/post-surgical NP results from a series of children with DNET.MethodsFirst, a systematic literature review was conducted with specific inclusion criteria. Second, a review of DNET surgical patients seen at two tertiary-care hospitals using reliable change methods of NP functioning was conducted.ResultsOf 300 citations retrieved, 7 studies met criteria. Studies reported low average to average pre-surgical IQ. Engel Class I outcome was approximately 85%. Case Series: Thirteen children completed pre/post-surgical NP assessments. Pre-surgically, children demonstrated low average to average functioning. Post-surgically, few patients showed reliable change. One-third of children demonstrated psychological improvement.ConclusionsNP outcome following DNET has not been well-described. Children with DNET demonstrate low average to average NP functioning pre-surgically, good seizure outcome, and stable NP functioning post-surgically.

► Dearth of literature on outcome after epilepsy surgery in children with DNET.
► Children with DNET demonstrate average neuropsychological functioning pre-surgically.
► Few declines post-surgically and excellent post-operative and seizure outcomes.