Intra-axial endophytic tumors in the pons and/or medulla oblongata I. Symptoms, neuroradiological findings, and histopathology in 30 children

Abstract

Between August 1987 and June 1994 we operated upon 30 consecutive children suffering from endophytic intra-axial tumors located in the pons and/or medulla oblongata. We present the clinical findings, neuroradiological aspects and histopathological results recorded in these cases. Diagnostic tests included clinical examinations, neurophysiological tests and neuroradiological imaging [magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) in all cases, often combined with cranial computer tomography (CCT)]. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of the tumor material obtained by open surgical exploration in all cases. We conclude that a short history and more horizontal growth within the pons are more valuable predictors of the histopathology than dif-ferentiation between focal or diffuse growth patterns. MRT has little predictive value for histopathological diagnosis in intra-axial brain stem tumors.