Clinical characteristics and modality of surgical treatment of pediatric neuroepithelial tumors

Objective – To analyze the clinical and histological characteristics, as well as to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of pediatric neuroepithelial tumors. Patients and methods – A retrospective study was conducted, including 40 pediatric patients surgically treated at the Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Clinical Hospital Tuzla in the period 2002-2012. During the study we formed groups and the analysis was conducted by age, gender, clinical signs, histopathologic types and type of surgical treatment. The results are presented in tables and expressed by relative values. Results – Neuroepithlial tumors are more common in male patients. There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of neuroepithelial tumors (I‡2=0.400; p=0.527) related to supratentorial and infratentorial localization. Infratentorial neuroepithelial tumors are most common at a younger age (F=6.516; p=0.015). Increased intracranial pressure and seizures are the most common initial presentation of neuroepithelial tumors (I‡2=0.022; p=0.882). There was no statistically significant difference between types of surgical resection and localization of the tumor. Usually we performed total resection (I‡2=0.246; p=0.620). There was a statistically significant difference in tumor grade regarding supratentorial and infratentorial localizations (p=0.013). Infratentorial tumors are higher grade (I‡2=5.495; p=0.019). Conclusion – The most common initial presentations of neuroepithelial tumors are increased intracranial pressure and seizures. Infratentorial tumors are higher grade. The most common initial treatment of neuroepithelial tumors is radical surgical resection.