Long-term cognitive outcome after neurosurgically treated childhood traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: To explore the cognitive long-term outcome of two cohorts of patients neurosurgically treated for childhood traumatic brain injury (CTBI), either in 1987-1991 according to an older concept or 1997-2001 with a stronger emphasis on volume targeted interventions.

Research design and methods: Participants in the two cohorts were subject to an extensive neuropsychological assessment, 13.2 and 6.1 years post-injury, respectively. In a between-group design, assessment results of the two cohorts, n = 18 and n = 23, were compared to each other and to controls. Data were analysed with multivariate analyses of variance.

Results: Long-term cognitive deficits for both groups of similar magnitude and character were observed in both groups. Abilities were especially low regarding executive and memory function and verbal IQ. The cognitive results are discussed in terms of vulnerability of verbal functions and decreased executive control over memory-functions.

Conclusions: There is a definite need for long-term follow-up of cognitive deficits after neurosurgically treated CTBI, also with the newer neurosurgical concept. Verbal learning and the executive control over memory functions should be addressed with interventions aimed at restoration, coping and compensation.