Surgical treatment of the tumors of the fourth ventricle through telovelar approach

Abstract

The study objectiveis analysis of surgical treatment results of adult patients with tumors of the fourth ventricle and determination of predictors of unsuccessful outcomes.Materials and methods.In the present study we review results of treatment of 33 adult patients with tumors of the fourth ventricle, which were operated via telovelar approach in Federal Neurosurgical Center (Novosibirsk). The most common symptoms included hydrocephalus (54.5 %), cerebellar dysfunction (33.3 %), cranial nerve deficits (30.3 %). The tumor size was more than 40 mm in 22 cases (66.7 %). The brain stem invasion was occurred in 21 cases (63.6 %).Results.23 tumors were removed totally (69.7 %). Hydrocephalus was regressed in 17 cases (94.5 %). Cerebellar mutism did not occur in any patient. Conclusion.Predictors of poor result may be brain stem invasion, non-radical resection of tumor and preoperative hydrocephalus. We suggest, that the preoperative hydrocephalus should not been operated in the most cases of the fourth ventricular tumors.