Posterior cranial fossa low-grade glioma in children: a clinocopathological study

Abstract

Objective - The aim of this study was to analyse the clinico-pathological characteristics, treatment, complications and outcome in patients with low grade astrocytomas (grade I and II).

Patients and Methods - This study was a retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive patients younger than 15 years who were hospitalized for surgical treatment of posterior cranial fossa tumours. The intracranial hypertension, neurological status, radiological CT or MRI findings, tumour localization, type of resection, hydrocephalus treatment, histopathology, complications and outcome were analyzed.

Results - There posterior cranial fossa tumours 25 (50%) children with astrocytoma among the posterior cranial fossa tumours. Of this number, there were 18 (72%) pilocytic astrocytomas and 7 (28%) ordinary histopathological subtypes of grade II astrocytomas. The average age in patients was 78.5±40 months, patients with pilocytic astrocytoma 84±43 months and patients with grade II astrocytomas 64±27 months. The average size of pilocytic astrocytoma was 48 mm and the remaining grade II astrocytomas was 37 mm. The most common neurological deficit before and after surgery was ataxia. Paediatic patients with posterior cranial fossa low grade astrocatomas have evaluated postoperatively between 4 months to 98 months, in average 47.7±25.9 and patients with grade II astrocytomas between 6 months to 103 months, in average 57.2±38.4.

Conclusion - Have a good prognosis after tumor total grose resection