RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Investigating neuroblastoma in childhood opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 461
OP 463
DO 10.1136/adc.2010.204792
VO 97
IS 5
A1 Andreas Brunklaus
A1 Keith Pohl
A1 Sameer M Zuberi
A1 Carlos de Sousa
YR 2012
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/97/5/461.abstract
AB Objective Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a serious, often disabling neurological illness of early childhood which is frequently associated with occult neuroblastoma. As investigation methods vary significantly, the authors assessed the usefulness of imaging and metabolic studies in tumour detection. Methods Retrospective case note review of 101 OMS patients from two paediatric neurology centres over 53 years. Results The prevalence of neuroblastoma in OMS was 8% in the 1970s, 16% in the 1980s, 38% in the 1990s and 43% in the 2000s, with tumours being mainly low grade. CT/MR imaging of the chest and abdomen was the most accurate test to detect occult neuroblastoma. Poorer sensitivities were noted for metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy and urine catecholamines, reflecting the low metabolic activity of these tumours. Conclusion CT/MR imaging has the highest detection rate of neuroblastoma and this should be reflected in investigation protocols to achieve the best possible outcome for children with OMS.