Angela Mastronuzzi, Associate Professor of General and Specialist Pediatrics at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, shared on LinkedIn:
“Dysphagia is a frequent postoperative complication in children undergoing surgery for posterior fossa tumors (PFTs), yet early swallowing trajectories remain insufficiently characterized despite the growing focus on functional outcomes in pediatric neuro-oncology.
In this prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary referral center, feeding and swallowing function were assessed at three standardized time points. Forty-five children were enrolled.
Across all measures, swallowing function followed a dynamic postoperative trajectory, with substantial deterioration at one week and partial recovery at four weeks; however, many children did not return to their baseline status within this timeframe.
These findings highlight:
- Heterogeneity: Early postoperative recovery in PFTs varies significantly between patients.
- Routine assessment: Serial, multidimensional assessments should be integrated into routine care.
- Individualized rehabilitation: Early, tailored rehabilitation strategies are needed to optimize short-term functional outcomes and support future prognostic research.”
Title: Feeding and swallowing function and dysphagia risk in children with posterior fossa tumors: a preliminary Italian cohort study
Authors: Marco Tofani, Lavinia Savarese, Bianca Andreozzi, Antonella Cerchiari, Andrea Carai, Carolina Giordani, Giorgia Biondo, Gessica Della Bella, Francesca Pizza, Angela Mastronuzzi
You can also read:
WHO Flags Six Essential Childhood Cancer Medicines Facing Critical Access Gaps
