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Cognitive evaluation following the evolution of brain myofibroblastic tumor in the adolescence: a case study report

Avaliação cognitiva após a evolução do tumor miofibroblástico cerebral na adolescência: relato de estudo de caso

ABSTRACT

Objective

To report the case of a teenager (12 years old) diagnosed with a brain tumor in the right frontal-parietal region emphasizing the main characteristics observed in neuropsychological examinations.

Methods

In the pre-surgical evaluation, the patient presented behavioral alterations, including deficits in verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, working memory, processing speed, and slight alterations regarding constructive praxis.

Results

A reevaluation after two years surgery revealed significant improvement in verbal and perceptual comprehension and constructive praxis while remaining a slight change in processing speed. These results suggest that the tumor’s surgical resection produced significant improvements in the patient’s neurocognitive context, especially in executive functions. This study also indicates that Neuropsychological evaluation are useful for pre- and post- surgical evaluation of cognitive functioning and its evolution.

Conclusion

Brain tumor causes cognitive and behavioral changes and its resection can result in improvements in the patient’s quality of life.

Cognition; brain tumor; adolescence; neuropsychological evaluation

Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Av. Venceslau Brás, 71 Fundos, 22295-140 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 21) 3873-5510 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
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