Last reviewed: December 2018
Last updated: May  2017

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • headache
  • nausea and vomiting
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • behavioural changes
  • diplopia
  • ophthalmoplegias
  • bulging anterior fontanelle
  • papilloedema
  • nystagmus
  • head tilt
  • ataxia
  • dysmetria
Full details

Risk factors

  • age 3 to 8 years
  • male gender
  • associated inherited familial syndromes
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • brain MRI
  • brain CT
  • histology
  • cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine MRI
  • lumbar puncture
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • postoperative MRI
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

<3 years age

≥3 years age

Contributors

Authors VIEW ALL

Senior Registrar in Clinical Oncology

Department of Oncology

Addenbrooke’s Hospital

Cambridge

UK

Disclosures

SV is an author of a reference cited in this monograph.

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Department of Oncology

Addenbrooke's Hospital

Cambridge

UK

Disclosures

GH has done paid consultancy work for Janssen.

Dr Gail Horan and Dr Sindu Vivekanandan would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Barry Pizer, Dr Michael J. Fisher, Dr Phillip B. Storm, and Dr Gregory G. Heuer, the previous contributors to this monograph. BP, MJF, PBS, and GGH declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers VIEW ALL

Division of Neurosurgery

University of Toronto

Toronto

Ontario

Canada

Disclosures

DR declares that he has no competing interests.

Professor of Paediatric Neurosurgery

Nottingham University Hospital

Nottingham

UK

Disclosures

MV declares that he has no competing interests.

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