BRAIN TUMORS IN INFANCY

[摘要] Seven cases of brain tumors occurring in infants are presented. Six occurred in males and one was in a female. Three of them arose in the cerebellum while the other four were supratentorial. The tumors included two medulloblastomas, one [See Table II in Source Pdf] spongioblastoma polare, one ependymoma, one astrocytoma and one hemangioblastoma. The seventh case probably was also one of medulloblastoma. One of the proven medulloblastomas was supratentorial, which is unusual so faras location is concerned. The hemangioblastoma arose in the cerebrum. The location of this tumor is also a rare one and to my knowledge, it is the first case of its type reported in an infant in whom full recovery occurred following removal of the tumor.The diagnosis was unsuspected in four cases. Three of these infants were believed to be suffering from congenital hydrocephalus while the fourth was thought to be afflicted with encephalitis. The ways in which the correct diagnosis might have been made are discussed. Since bizarre clinical patterns are sometimes produced by brain tumors in infants and the diagnosis frequently overlooked, the possibility should be kept in mind by the pediatrician in considering the differential diagnosis of conditions producing signs referable to the nervous system.

[学科分类] 儿科学