Surgical management of medulloblastoma

J Neurooncol. 1996 Jul;29(1):9-21. doi: 10.1007/BF00165514.

Abstract

Recent technological aids and understanding of pathophysiology has made the surgery of medulloblastoma safer. The guiding principle for the neurosurgeon remains removal of bulky disease, but there is no justification for removal of small amounts of tumor from critical locations. Post-operative complications include hydrocephalus, hematoma, mutism, asceptic meningitis, gastroinstestinal hemorrhage, and cervical instability. Staging is best done preoperatively with MRI, and presence of dissemination remains the most important prognostic factor in this disease. Postoperative surveillance imaging is of questionable value.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / mortality
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medulloblastoma / mortality
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Medulloblastoma / surgery*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pain, Postoperative
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Survival Rate