Surgical removal of hemangioblastoma in the fourth ventricle.

Three cases of successful removal of hemangioblastoma in the fourth ventricle are reported. Two patients are doing well four years and six months, respectively, after operation. One patient succumbed 15 weeks after operation, most likely due to cardiac arrest. Microsurgical coagulation and dissection of individual arterial feeders permitted dissection of the tumor. When the tumor was elevated, hemorrhage followed. Control of hemorrhaging was associated with postoperative neurological dysfunctions in each case.