Posterior fossa tumors: Pandora's Box violated

Al Rawabdeh Sura; Alqroom Rami; Al-Khawaldeh Maher; Al-Zoubi Mohamad; Al- Makhamreh Basel; Elayan Abeer; Haddadin William; Khasawneh Nidal; Al Shurbaji Amer.

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

Posterior fossa tumors: Pandora's Box violated

Al Rawabdeh Sura, Alqroom Rami, Al Khawaldeh Maher, Al Zoubi Mohamad, Al Makhamreh Basel, Elayan Abeer, Haddadin William, Khasawneh Nidal, Al Shurbaji Amer.

Abstract :

Objectives: Current study aims to use a retrospectively collected data registry of the surgically treated cases of the Posterior fossa lesions to clarify the relative frequencies of histological patterns in our setup over a period of 15–years.

Methods: Institutional patient database of 201–patients who underwent surgical intervention by the Department of Neurosurgery in a single referral center – King Hussein medical center–over a fifteen–year period from January 2002 to January 2017 scrutinized retrospectively. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by radiological studies (CT scan, MRI…) and histopathological reports in all patients.

Results: Of total population, 104 were females and 97 were males. In our series, 61.7% of posterior fossa tumors were in children <14 years. Cerebellar symptoms were the most common manner of presentation followed by headaches and vomiting. All patients underwent surgical intervention employing posterior craniectomy with excision of tumor. Histopathological patterns identified were: Medulloblastoma reported in 82–cases, followed by Pilocytic astrocytoma 39–cases, while in descending order hemangioblastoma, Anaplastic ependymoma, Dermoid/ Epidermoid cyst, meningioma were recognized.

Conclusion: Posterior fossa tumor considered one of the most devastating forms of human illnesses, predominantly showing up in children with peak incidence in the first decade, clinical presentation is insidious. Advances in imaging modalities and treatment options have conveyed about a great improvement in survival in these patients over the past few decades, with recurrence rates very low due to a feasible gross total excision.