Fetal brain tumors.
BACKGROUND
Fetal intracranial tumors are rare and their evolution is usually poor. With routine use of antenatal ultrasound imaging, a larger number of such tumors have been diagnosed.


METHODS
During the period from January 1992 to January 2002, 18 cases diagnosed as intracranial tumors in the fetal stage were treated in the Neurosurgery and Obstetrics Departments of the Federal University of São Paulo and in the Fetal Medicine Service of the Maternity Hospital Santa Joana.


RESULTS
The tumors most frequently found were those of the choroid plexus and teratomas. Out of those 18 cases, 11 patients presented with fetal hydrocephalus, and 5 of them, who were less than 34 weeks old (gestational age), underwent repeated cephalocenteses while awaiting better conditions for delivery. Two fetuses died while in utero before any intervention had taken place and 16 underwent craniotomy after birth. Twelve of those patients are still alive, 9 of whom are considered normal. The 3 others are slightly or moderately retarded.
Cavalheiro
Sergio
S
Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 591/42, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil. iscava@uol.com.br
Moron
Antonio Fernandes
AF
Hisaba
Wagner
W
Dastoli
Patrícia
P
Silva
Nasjala Saba
NS
D000649:Amniocentesis; D001254:Astrocytoma; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal