Clinical Analysis of Posterior Fossa Tumors

ABSTRACT

We have experienced 56 cases of posterior fossa tumors which were diagnosed with clinical symptoms, angiography, brain computerized tomography scan and/or operative and pathologic findings at the department of neurosurgery of Catholic University Medical College from January 1983 to December 1987. The results were summarized as follows 1) Cerebellar astrocytomas were the most common posterior fossa tumors(21%). 2) The male to female ratio of posterior fossa tumors was equal. The astrocytoma and hemangioblastoma were frequent in male, but brain stem glioma, acoustic neuroma and meningioma were more frequent in female. 3) The posterior fossa tumors were more frequent in younger persons. 4) The most common duration symptoms were within 3 months(39%) and the common clinical features were headache(73%), nausea and vomiting(48%). In neurological examination, cerebellar signs were present in most cases(63%). 5) In brain computerized tomography scan, low density(46%) and contrast enhancement(63%) were common features and in vertebral angiography, mass effect(93%) in posterior fossa tumors. 6) The most postrior fossa tumors showed relatively good prognosis(61%) but mortality rate was high(30%).