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Approaches to Cerebellar Astrocytoma in Pediatric Patients

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Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children

Abstract

Cerebellar astrocytomas are the most common intracerebral tumor afflicting pediatric patients (Larson 1990). Surgical excision remains the primary mode of treatment (Campbell and Scott), and the extent of surgical resection has been demonstrated to correlate to prognosis (Pencalet et al, J Neurosurg 90(2):265–273, 1999).

Thus, the surgical approach to cerebellar astrocytomas can be regarded as an important and fundamental operation for pediatric neurosurgeons. There remains much personal preference in practice, and surgical technique can be influenced by factors such as the presence of a cyst wall, evidence of a “transitional” tumor, and presurgical hydrocephalus. An evidenced-based approach is presented here in this section, with a view to outcome, including complications and prognosis.

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Correspondence to Erica Jacobson M.D. .

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Jacobson, E., Lai, G.K., Maixner, W.J. (2015). Approaches to Cerebellar Astrocytoma in Pediatric Patients. In: Özek, M., Cinalli, G., Maixner, W., Sainte-Rose, C. (eds) Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11274-9_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11274-9_27

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-11273-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-11274-9

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