• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2006

Purpose : This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of brain tumors in children according to their location, the parental delay and the doctor's delay between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of a pediatric brain tumor. In addition, this study compared the relationship between the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval and the tumor location. Methods : A retrospective study was undertaken of 45 children with primary brain tumors admitted to Inha Hospital from July, 1986 to June, 2004. A diagnosis of the tumor location was made using brain MRI. Results : The male to female ratio was 1 : 0.67. The median age at diagnosis was 6.0 years in supratentorial tumors, 7.0 years in infratentorial tumors. Twenty four cases(53.3 percent) were located in the supratentorial area, 21 cases(46.6 percent) were located in the infratentorial area. The distribution of supratentorial tumors were 14(58.3 percent) in the cerebral hemisphere and temporal lobe, seven (29.1 percent) in the suprasellar area, and three(12.5 percent) in the pineal gland and posterial lateral ventricle. The distributions of the infratentorial tumors were 12(57.1 percent) in the cerebellar vermis and fourth ventricle, four(19.1 percent) in the brain stem, and five(23.8 percent) in the cerebellar hemisphere. The most common initial symptom was seizure(37.5 percent) in the supratentorial tumor and headache(38.0 percent) in infratentorial tumors. The median pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) was 21 days(range 0-240 days). The median PSI with a parental delay in supratentorial tumor was six days(range 1-240 days), and 30 days(range 1-40 days) in the infratentorial tumor. We immediately diagnosed most cases after visiting the hospital. There was no significant relationship between the tumor location and the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval. Conclusion : The most common symptom of supratentorial tumors and infratentorial tumors was seizure and headache, respectively. Although, the median pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval was shorter than in previous studies, a detailed medical history and a correctly interpreted neurological examination should lead to an earlier diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2001

Objective : To investigate the postoperative result and prognostic factors in cerebellopontine meningioma. Materials & Methods : During the years 1990 through 1999, a retrospective study of 17 cerebellopontine angle meningiomas was performed. The retromastoid approach was used in all cases : 14 tumors were excised totally and 3 tumors subtotally. Results : Fourteen patents were females with a median age of 58.7 years. The most common presenting complaints were 8th cranial nerve dysfunction and headache. Most of the tumors were large(>4cm) and extended into the tentorial regions. Histological examination revealed benign meningiomas in 16 patients and atypical in one patient. Tumors were located posterior to the internal auditory meatus in 11 cases and anterior in three cases with three cases of en-plaque type. Two of three patients whose tumors were subtotally excised received radiation therapy. Tumor has recurred in one patient. Postoperative result was good in 16 cases with one mortality case. Conclusion : This results suggest that site of 7th-8th cranial nerves complex, en-plaque type meningioma, and petroclival meningioma extended into the clivus were significant prognostic factors. Postoperative radiation therapy is recommended for cases of subtotal resection.