metrizamide and Medulloblastoma

The authors discuss their original observations using computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of posterior fossa neoplasms in children. The subject of CT diagnosis of childhood supratentorial tumors is also reviewed. However, despite the documented value of CT, the authors believe that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will eventually offer certain advantages that will make MRI the primary imaging modality for intracranial neoplasms in children.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Brain Stem; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Child; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Ependymoma; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Metrizamide; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Twenty-six patients with medulloblastoma had complete myelography and spinal fluid cytology and tests for polyamine levels in the evaluation for spinal metastases. The nature and location of abnormalities are presented in this report. Metrizamide was demonstrated to be safe and effective for complete myelography in children. The usefulness of myelography in detecting spinal metastases at the time of initial diagnosis (11%) and at the time of first intracranial recurrence (33%) is discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Medulloblastoma; Metrizamide; Myelography; Spinal Cord Neoplasms

Topics: Astrocytoma; Chondroma; Hemangioma; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Meningioma; Metrizamide; Neurofibromatosis 1; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Our experience with the water-soluble contrast medium metrizamide (Amipaque) for ventriculography is described. No significant side effects were observed in our 27 patients, of whom 12 were children. A mild increase in CSF cell count disappeared after a few days. In 24 of the 27 patients, very good or adequate, and in any case diagnostic, information was obtained regarding the third and fourth ventricles, aqueduct, as well as sometimes the basal cisterns and outline of the cerebellum.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventriculography; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniopharyngioma; Female; Hemangioma, Cavernous; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Infant; Male; Medulloblastoma; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Neurilemmoma