MP006: Review of clinical presentation and trajectory of patients with a diagnosis of primary brain tumour in a pediatric tertiary centre

Abstract

Introduction: Recognition of life-threatening conditions, such as brain tumours, remains a challenge among pediatric patients. Few studies have described the implication of initial presentation, clinical evolution and healthcare system factors in diagnosis delay of brain tumours in children. We aimed to determine the clinical presentation patterns and health care trajectory of children with a diagnosis of primary brain tumour. Methods: A retrospective chart review in a pediatric university-affiliated hospital was conducted. Participants were all patients less than 18 years of age diagnosed with a brain tumour by neuroimaging between Jan 2003 and Dec 2014. Data were extracted from an institutional tumour registry and medical records. Results: From the registry, 288 patients were identified. The mean age at time of diagnosis was 7.44 ± 0.29 years. Most tumours were infra-tentorial (55%) and had astrocytic origin (29%). The majority (35%) had consulted only once prior to diagnosis, while 14% had consulted at least 4 times prior to diagnosis. The mean time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 147 ± 19 days. The mean time between symptoms onset and first consultation was 84 ± 14 days. The most frequent symptoms and signs at onset and diagnosis were respectively: headache (44% vs 59%, p<0.01), nausea and vomiting (31% vs 58%, p<0.01) and abnormalities of gait (10% vs 32%, p<0.01). 129 patients (45%) were diagnosed in an Emergency Department (ED). Symptoms and signs that differed significantly for those diagnosed in an ED were: headache (71% vs 42%, p<0.01), nausea and vomiting (73 % vs 32%, p<0.01), lethargy (26% vs 9%, p<0.01), weight loss (15% vs 3%, p<0.01), irritability (9% vs 0%, p<0.01) and endocrine abnormality (2% vs 8%, p=0.02). Clinical presentations of infants up to one year of age (14%) differed from other age groups. They presented mostly with growth abnormality (46%), macrocephaly (40%), irritability (40%), development abnormalities (18%) and sun-setting eyes sign (10%). Conclusion: In this large comprehensive cohort, we have found that the diagnosis of primary brain tumours is most frequently made in the ED. Different clinical presentations have been identified and varied between different settings of diagnosis and different age groups.