title: Intramedullary pilocytic astrocytomas--a clinical and morphological study after combined surgical and photon or neutron therapy.
abstract: Ten patients suffering from intramedullary pilocytic astrocytomas (WHO-classification: astrocytoma grade I) were investigated catamnesticly. Combined surgery and radiotherapy was performed. Seven patients received neutron irradiation postoperatively. In four cases the neurological symptoms were improved after follow-up periods ranging from 33 to 89 months. The three other patients died after 6 to 21 months. The autopsy findings of a 14 year old child are presented. Our results are compared with reports in the literature. In addition, long-term problems of the spinal column are discussed. It seems that the combined surgical and neutron therapy improves the prognosis of pencil gliomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, West Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rauhut
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reinhardt
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Budach
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiedemayer
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Nau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005214:Fast Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011379:Prognosis; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery