Assessment of posterior fossa tumors in infants and children by means of computed tomography

Medulloblastomas: a review of modern management with a report on 75 cases

The authors summarize the 8-year experience of a tertiary medical center with 75 cases of medulloblastoma in Saudi Arabia. A discussion of the evolution of modern management of this difficult problem ensues. As 5-year survival statistics approach 80% in some institutions, attention is being focused on the long-term effects of modern therapy and the quality of life led by these children.

Glioblastoma of the cerebellum. Computed tomographic and pathologic considerations

Cerebellar glioblastoma is a brain malignancy that is often difficult to distinguish from metastatic disease in the elderly before biopsy. The clinical course and computed tomographic appearance of four patients with multiform glioblastoma of the cerebellum are presented and correlated with other reports in the literature. The appearance of a cerebellar hemispheric lesion with little mass effect is described, and the pathology of the tumor is reviewed.

Do we need ventriculography in the era of computed tomography?

The question is posed whether in the investigation of intracranial tumors, particularly in the posterior cranial fossa, CT and/or ventriculography should be practiced. We investigated 134 patients (93 were children up to the age of 14 years), all of whom had had both computed tomography and ventriculography. The results clearly demonstrate the superiority of CT compared with ventriculography. Ventriculography is a surgical intervention with risk for the patient; side effects may occur and serious complications can sometimes arise. Modern CT is producing pictures of high quality which are entirely sufficient for neurosurgical intervention. Very rarely does additional angiography have to be performed. The diagnosis of intracranial tumor can be fully established by CT and ventriculography is no longer necessary.

Cerebellar astrocytomas in children and young adults

A clinical and pathological review of 43 cases of cerebellar astrocytomas in children and young adults was undertaken. Thirty-one of the 36 surviving patients were examined by computed tomography. Twelve patients with asymptomatic tumour were detected. Histology was necessary to identify the higher risk "diffuse" group, but no histological features helped to identify tumours liable to recur. Improvements in the prognosis may occur with long term CT scanning.