The frequency of brain tumors in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common genetic syndrome, is three times higher than what scientists had estimated.<\/p>\n
Neurologists previously estimated that only 15 to 20 percent of kids with NF1, which is characterized by birthmarks and benign nerve tumors that develop in or on the skin, develop brain tumors. Of these, the vast majority are in the optic nerve or the brainstem.<\/p>\n
These previously under-recognized brain tumors can cause neurologic problems that require treatment. The findings, which appear in Neurology: Clinical Practice<\/em><\/a>, suggest that brain tumors may be a more significant problem for children with NF1 than previously appreciated.<\/p>\n
It is difficult to prove that the researchers correctly distinguished tumors from less worrisome bright spots. Doing so would require extracting bits of the bright spots for examination, which would not be practical.<\/p>\n
However, 10 of the children whose bright spots researchers classified as probable tumors underwent brain biopsies as part of their medical care, and all 10 proved to be brain tumors. Furthermore, 28 percent of these probable tumors eventually required treatment, providing further evidence that they had been correctly classified. The remainder did not cause symptoms and did not require treatment.<\/p>\n
Applying the new criteria to MRI scans will help physicians identify probable tumors, but that does not mean that all children with NF1 should be scanned regularly, the researchers caution.<\/p>\n
“I am not advocating the frequent use of MRI scans in kids with NF1,” Gutmann says. “What we have learned from this study is how to more accurately interpret MRI scans in children with NF1, and to better decide which abnormalities are most likely tumors in need of medical surveillance.”<\/p>\n
An unrestricted gift from Schnuck Markets Inc.; and the Neurologic 糖心视频s Academic Development Award at Washington University School of Medicine partially supported the study.<\/p>\n
Source: <\/em>Washington University in St. Louis<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"