Vestibulotoxicity in Pediatric Oncology: Screening, Assessment, and Relationships with Audiometric and Balance Function
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Abstract
Background: Balance is an important gross motor function which allows children to safely participate in recreational and sport activities. Balance requires integration of sensory input from three main systems, the somatosensory system, visual system, and vestibular system. Childhood cancers and the medical treatments used in the management of these diseases can cause toxicity or damage to any one of these systems. Furthermore, children with a diagnosis of cancer are known to experience balance deficits both during and after cancer treatment. There is limited knowledge, however, of toxicity to the vestibular system specifically, in children with a diagnosis of cancer. In addition, relationships between vestibular function, audiometric function, and balance performance in this population have not been well established. Methods: Vestibular screening failures (Pediatric Vestibular Symptom Questionnaire, Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, dynamic visual acuity), vestibular function (video head impulse test, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials), audiometric function (tympanometry, audiogram), balance performance (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd Edition, Balance subtest), and sensory integration (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance) were measured in children with a diagnosis of cancer and non-cancer age-matched controls. Results: Children with a diagnosis of cancer presented with a greater prevalence of vestibular screening failures as compared to non-cancer age-matched controls. Children with cancer had a greater prevalence of vestibular dysfunction as compared to controls, and the severity of vestibular loss was also greater in this group. Relationships between vestibular dysfunction and hearing loss were not identified. Children with a diagnosis of cancer had impaired balance performance and sensory integration as compared to non-cancer age-matched controls, and significant relationships between vestibular loss severity and balance performance were identified in children with a diagnosis of cancer. Conclusions: Children with a diagnosis of cancer demonstrate vestibular dysfunction that is related to reduced balance performance and impaired sensory integration.