PSYCHIATRIC SEQUELAE OF DIENCEPHALIC TUMO RS IN CHILDREN - 3 CASE-REPORTS

Three cases of behavioral disorders in children previously treated for a diencephalic tumor are reported. In such cases, classical psychiatr ic evaluation is difficult because reference data on childhood psychoo rganic syndromes are lacking. Another complicating feature is that mul tiple factors contribute to the impairment of social interactions, inc luding maladaptive reactions to disease-related stress, sensory defici ts, and cognitive disorders. A structured evaluation should be perform ed in order to assess the child's behavior, the psychological and educ ational environment, and impairment of neuropsychological and neurophy siological function.