top of page

Operative Outcomes and Complications 

PBTSG has been productive in investigating operative complications and outcomes, publishing one clinical paper in the Journal of Neuro-oncology, and producing multiple abstracts and poster presentations.

 

The pediatric patient presents unique challenges for neurosurgery. The majority of pediatric tumours tend to arise from the posterior fossa, producing distinctive sequala from impinging upon the motor and coordination center of the cerebellum as opposed to adult supratentorial tumours which tend to impair language, memory and higher cognitive functions. Understanding the potential synergy or dissonance generated by combing conventional treatments through clinical research is crucial for informing practice. Prognostic and tumour factors bear essential import for determining the manner and outcomes of care, such as the extent of resection in juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. We have investigated the efficacy of salvage therapy for recurrent disease, and elucidated concerns regarding the utility of external ventricular drainage to treat hydrocephalus. 

Clinical
Neuropsychology

The effects of brain tumours and their treatments on behaviour are complex. One of the areas that are most affected is a person's psychology. Neuropsychology is a specialized area of psychology that concerns an individual’s cognition and behaviour and the effect on the rest of the body. Our research looks at how a person’s neuropsychology changes as a result of the different brain tumours they are diagnosed with. Neuropsychological tests can be done on patients to evaluate what changes have occurred and to what degree. It is also important to examine ways in which these changes can be minimized so that quality of life is not significantly affected. A current project is looking at cognitive and behavioural changes in pediatric patients diagnosed with ependymoma and the effect on their quality of life. 

Clinical Neurophysiology

and Neuroanatomy

Much of our modern understanding of neuro-anatomy has been forged from case studies of patients who had undergone operations and presented with notable sequelae from damage to pivotal brain areas. One of our projects investigates the loss in neuro-cognitive function resulting from posterior fossa surgical resection of portions of the cerebellum and the corresponding anatomical disruption, suggesting a relationship between this location and cognition.

 

Long-Term Sequelae and Quality of Life

PBTSG represents the accumulation of data on pediatric patients admitted to the McMaster University Medical Centre over the past 30 years. Acting as an intersection of so many unique disciplines, ranging from neurosurgery to nutrition, endocrinology to radiation, enables the amalgamation of knowledge and allows our database to holistically represent our patients.

 

The group is situated at a unique vantage point for both addressing quality of life issues and the dearth of research in the long-term complications of conventional treatments.  We have already published an abstract investigating factors that influence length of Hospital stay among pediatric brain tumour patients, and future projects will also assess the long-term impact of tumors and their treatments.

LOGO.png
bottom of page