Evaluation of diagnosis and non-surgical therapy in 24 children with a pontine tumour.

In a retrospective study of 24 pontine tumours in children, the problem of diagnosis is reviewed. Diagnosis is primarily on clinical signs and symptoms. In accordance to the literature, intracranial hypertension is exceptional. Bladder retention, seldom mentioned in the literature, seems an important sign of an intramedullary process. In 17 cases arteriography was positive; in 7 cases a combinatin with ventriculography was necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The principal aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the non-surgical therapy. Without any therapy survival after diagnosis is about 2 months; with radiotherapy (3.250 à 6.650 R) prognosis reaches 9 months; irradiation with chemotherapy (cyclofosfamide, amethopterine, 6-mercaptopurine, vincristine, CCNU) gives no significant better results. Children, who respond positively after 2 or 3 weeks of therapy, have a better prognosis than those who do not. There are two exceptions with long survival (7 and 9 years). The influence of the combined therapy on personality and cognitive functions is discussed in these two cases.