Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 62. No. 3, 2023.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2023.62.03.12
Clinical and Surgical Characteristics of Posterior Fossa Tumors in Adults – Single-Center Experience of Surgical Management
Dragan Janković
Adi Ahmetspahić
Bruno Splavski
Leon Schmidt
Krešimir Rotim
Sanja Tomasović
Kenan Arnautović
Sažetak
In contrast to tumors in children, between 6% and 20% of all brain tumors in
adults arise solitary in the posterior cranial fossa. Given their rarity in adults, as well as the importance
and complexity of their treatment, this paper reviews and discusses the clinical and surgical characteristics
of such tumors. In a retrospective single-institution observational study, adult patients with
posterior fossa tumors treated surgically over a ten-year period were analyzed. The characteristics
observed were age and gender distribution, clinical symptoms, histopathologic tumor type, tumor size,
location and extent of surgical resection, tumor recurrence and postoperative complications, as well as
surgical outcome. Sixty-six patients who underwent surgical treatment were diagnosed with a tumor
in the posterior fossa. The mean age was 63 years, and patients were evenly distributed by gender.
The most common histopathologic type was metastatic tumor (59.1%), whereas meningioma was
the most common primary brain tumor (16.6%) recorded. Most patients presented with vegetative
and cerebellar symptoms in general and cranial nerve palsy, especially in the occurrence of vestibular
schwannoma. In conclusion, posterior fossa tumors grow in a confined space and therefore may directly
threaten vital centers in their immediate vicinity. Thus, it is crucial to schedule an appropriate
surgical intervention as soon as possible, as it can significantly improve treatment outcome and prognosis
of the disease. If possible, meticulous total tumor resection should be the treatment of choice. In
the case of hydrocephalus, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt should be considered as an alternative surgical
option after tumor resection.
Ključne riječi
Cranial fossa, posterior; Outcome; Surgical management; Symptoms; Tumor, infratentorial
Hrčak ID:
315077
URI
Datum izdavanja:
1.11.2023.
Posjeta: 108 *