Weil AG, et al. - This study was performed to define the epidemiology, etiology, and outcome of brain tumor-related narcolepsy. As per the outcomes, most symptomatic narcolepsy cases were reported in children. Most cases were correlated with craniopharyngioma, adenoma, and glioma. Findings of this study enhanced the understanding of etiology and outcome of patients with narcolepsy-related to brain tumors.

Methods

• The researchers conducted an extensive review of the literature to extract cases of narcolepsy associated with brain tumors.
• In this study, they included only cases of brain tumors involving the hypothalamic region including the suprasellar/sellar and thalamus.

Results

• An unusual case of possible narcolepsy was reported in a child with a brain tumor.
• The researchers identified 25 additional cases of narcolepsy associated with brain tumors affecting the hypothalamic area through their literature review.
• They identified most symptomatic narcolepsy cases in children (70%).
• Narcolepsy after surgery was developed in half of the patients (13/25, 52%), while 11 patients (44%) were symptomatic at the time of the tumor diagnosis.
• Narcolepsy without cataplexy was noted in 10 patients.
• In this study, most cases were associated with craniopharyngioma (38%), adenoma (24%) and glioma (14%).
• Including the case, 3 had a complete resolution of symptoms.
• Biopsy was performed in all patients and they were treated with adjuvant therapy.
• Most (60%) improved following medical management of narcolepsy for patients with persistent symptoms.