Issue release date: 12.11.2024
2Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Ankara, Turkey
3Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Ankara, Turkey
4Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Ankara, Turkey DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.3639-10.0 AIM: Cerebellar astrocytomas are benign tumors of the central nervous system. They represent 10% of all pediatric intracranial brain tumors and 30% of all pediatric posterior fossa tumors especially in the first two decades of life.
MATERIAL and METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients; age at the time of surgery, pre- and post operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), localisation of the tumor, hydrocephalus, surgical approach, pre- and post operative neurological status, post operative adjuvant therapy and outcome were documented.
RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 20/11. Age at the time of evaluation ranged from 3 to 23 years. Age at the time of surgery ranged from 1 to 18 years. Follow-up duration after surgery was 1-12 years. 55% of these tumors were located at the cerebellar vermis and 45% were at the cerebellar hemispheres. Complete surgical resection was done in 74% of these patients. 5 patients had a second operation because of residual tumor. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion was performed in 3 of 31 patients because of symptomatic hydrocephalus and 1 patient had an endoscopic third ventriculostomy pre-operatively. 90% of these patients had no neurological sequelae at follow-up evaluation.
CONCLUSION: Cerebellar astrocytomas are benign tumors where total resection is possible in the majority of cases with an excellent outcome.
Keywords : Pilocytic astrocytoma, Cerebellum, Brain tumor, Childhood, Astrocytomas