Brain stem glioma--a study of 111 patients.
The study analyses 111 patients of brain stem glioma; seen in neurosurgery Dept., AIIMS, N. Delhi, India, from Jan '83 to March '97; 60% of the patients were under the age of 15 years, with two peaks in age distribution, 6-10 years & 36-45 years & there was slight male preponderance in all age groups. Most common site of tumour was pons both in adults & children. Pyramidal & cerebellar signs were more frequently seen in children. Duration of symptoms was usually less than six months (in 65.5% of cases). Surgical management was attempted in 72 patients with post of radiotherapy & chemotherapy, rest of the 39 cases were treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy & antitubercular treatment (if indicated). Improvement was seen in 30% patients postoperatively. Outcome was better in patients who were treated surgically. Astrocytoma was most common histological diagnosis (62%) & glioblastoma was not uncommon & was seen in 10 (13.8%) cases.] We conclude that the patients with brainstem glioma can be helped by surgical decompression, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy & chemotherapy.
Dept. of Neurosurgery, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
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S
Kansal
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Jindal
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AK
Mahapatra
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors