Diagnosis of brain tumors in children.

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumor of childhood. The presenting signs and symptoms reflect the nature and location of the tumor, the presence of increased intracranial pressure, and the age and development of the child. A detailed history and neurologic examination will, in most cases, identify children with intracranial neoplasms. Diagnosis is then confirmed by neuroradiologic studies, including computed tomography, MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.