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Fetal brain tumors

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Abstract

Introduction

Fetal intracranial tumors are rare and their evolution is usually poor. With routine use of antenatal ultrasound imaging, a larger number of such tumors have been diagnosed.

Methods

During the period from January 1992 to January 2002, 18 cases diagnosed as intracranial tumors in the fetal stage were treated in the Neurosurgery and Obstetrics Departments of the Federal University of São Paulo and in the Fetal Medicine Service of the Maternity Hospital Santa Joana.

Results

The tumors most frequently found were those of the choroid plexus and teratomas. Out of those 18 cases, 11 patients presented with fetal hydrocephalus, and 5 of them, who were less than 34 weeks old (gestational age), underwent repeated cephalocenteses while awaiting better conditions for delivery. Two fetuses died while in utero before any intervention had taken place and 16 underwent craniotomy after birth. Twelve of those patients are still alive, 9 of whom are considered normal. The 3 others are slightly or moderately retarded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 591/42, 04023–062, São Paulo, Brazil

    Sergio Cavalheiro, Patrícia Dastoli & Nasjala Saba Silva

  2. Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 591/42, 04023–062, São Paulo, Brazil

    Antonio Fernandes Moron & Wagner Hisaba

Authors
  1. Sergio Cavalheiro
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  2. Antonio Fernandes Moron
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  3. Wagner Hisaba
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  4. Patrícia Dastoli
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  5. Nasjala Saba Silva
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sergio Cavalheiro.

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Cavalheiro, S., Moron, A.F., Hisaba, W. et al. Fetal brain tumors. Childs Nerv Syst 19, 529–536 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-003-0770-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-003-0770-9

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