Surgical removal of brainstem astrocytomas and hemangioblastomas: report of three cases and review.
The surgical removal of a brainstem astrocytoma or hemangioblastoma entails the risk of a major neurological injury, but if injury can be avoided, the benefits of surgery are considerable in some types of these tumors. Most brainstem astrocytomas are widely infiltrative diffuse tumors that frequency undergo malignant change and are not benefitted by surgery. However, dorsally exophytic brainstem astrocytomas, focal cervicomedullary astrocytomas, and focal brainstem astrocytomas have a more benign character and frequently are benefitted by surgical removal or other surgical intervention. Brainstem hemangioblastomas may be extramedullary tumors or cystic intramedullary tumors, and surgical removal of these tumors is usually possible and is the optimal treatment. Three cases are presented to illustrate that excellent results can be obtained by surgical resection of certain types of brainstem astrocytoma or hemangioblastoma. The clinical and radiographic characteristics and the results of surgical treatment for each of these types of brainstem tumor are discussed.
Audubon Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky.
R K
RK
Jelsma
L F
LF
Jelsma
G S
GS
Johnson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging