Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-hgkh8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T00:12:06.408Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Visual–spatial neglect in a child following sub-cortical tumor resection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2002

Rebecca L Billingsley
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Frederick F Lang
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
John M Slopis
Affiliation:
Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Gregory W Schrimsher
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Joann L Ater
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Bartlett D Moore III
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatrics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Get access

Abstract

Although clinical syndromes of visual–spatial neglect have been well described in adults, clinical features of neglect associated with subcortical dysfunction are infrequently reported in children and have not been described in detail. Unilateral visual–spatial neglect in a 7-year-old male following removal of a right subcortical juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma is reported. Preoperative baseline neurocognitive assessment of the patient established intact attentional and intellectual functioning. Postoperatively visual–spatial neglect was observed that was not accounted for by the patient's visual field deficit. Consistent with classic features of attentional neglect, increases in attentional demands led to greater errors in performance. The risk of unilateral neglect following resection of subcortical tumors that abut the thalamus or disrupt thalamo-cortical projections was confirmed in a retrospective analysis of patients referred for neurocognitive testing at our site. It was concluded that the ventral thalamus may play a role in visual–spatial attention early in development.

Type
Case Reports
Copyright
© 2002 Mac Keith Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)