PAEDIATRIC-01 SURGICAL OUTCOME OF MEDULLOBLASTOMA IN ETHIOPIA

OBJECTIVE: Medulloblastoma is one of the commonest CNS[1] tumors in pediatric patients. This study tries to assess surgical treatment outcome and prognostic factors in patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma in Ethiopia, a LIC[2]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study involving twenty-seven patients (21 pediatrics & 6 adults) who underwent surgery for medulloblastoma (January 1, 2010-April 30, 2018), at two neurosurgical centers. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patients’ data & surgical treatment outcome variables were assessed by suitable statistical tests. RESULTS: 1-year and 6-month survival probability were 29% and 41 % respectively with a median survival of 107 days (95% CI: 49,166). Median survival was 66 days (95% CI: 27,105), with 6 months and one-year survival rate of 24 % (p=0.031) for pediatric patients. Majority (61.90%) of pediatric deaths were in the first two months of surgery. Six months & one-year PFS[3] were around 83% and 44% respectively with median PFS of 9 months (95%CI: 7, 12). Younger age at presentation, postoperative open EVD[4], longer SICU[5] stay, lack of radiation treatment & postoperative complications were negative outcome predictors. CONCLUSION: Overall median and PFS of operated patients <15 years old is poor. Patients with negative outcome predictors have higher mortality& poor postoperative functional status. Standardization of treatment with surgery & CSI[6] ± chemotherapy yields longer survival rates in both pediatric and adult patients. [1] Central Nervous System [2] Low Income Country [3] Progression Free Survival [4] External Ventricular Drainage [5] Surgical Intensive Care Unit [6] Craniospinal Irradiation