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Brainstem Tumors

  • Brainstem gliomas are one of the most common tumors in this region.
  • They account for about twenty-percent of intracranial tumors in children.
  • Symptoms typically begin with cranial nerve palsy and hydrocephalus (resulting for example in double vision, headache, nausea and vomiting etc.).
  • Treatment for them typically includes radiation and cerebrospinal fluid diversion (third ventriculostomy vs. shunt placement).

Brainstem tumor case presentation:

A 36-year old woman with one year history of headache and hypertension presented with diplopia, progressive headache, nausea and vomiting and loss of consciousness.  MRI scan of her brain showed a tectal tumor obstructing the cerebral aqueduct and hydrocephalus.  The Patient underwent stereotactic endoscopic third ventriculostomy followed by gross total resection of the tectal tumor which was found to be anaplastic astrocytoma.  She was discharged from the hospital neurologically intact and shunt independent.