[Benign tectal tumors: clinical and neuroradiological correlations]

Benign tectal tumours in children constitute a distinct group of brainstem gliomas, characterised by a usually benign clinical course. The aim of this paper was a retrospective analysis of 1) results of conservative treatment, 2) diagnostic value of CT and MRI and 3) correlation of the MR image with the clinical course of the disease. Our material includes 15 patients aged from 6 to 16. The treatment consisted in the implantation of a CSF-shunting device (6 children), endoscopic ventriculostomy (6 children) or ventriculostomy in a child with malfunction of a previously implanted shunt (3 cases). Follow-up periods range from 3 to 219 months (mean 46.8 mo.). A slight progression of tumour in imaging studies was noted in 3 cases, while in the remaining patients neither clinical nor radiologic progression of the disease was observed. There was no correlation between tumour size and focal contrast enhancement in MRI and the natural course of the disease. The method of choice in the diagnosis of benign tectal tumours is MRI and in the treatment of associated hydrocephalus-endoscopic third ventriculostomy. An in-depth diagnostic work-up and a more aggressive cause-oriented treatment is used only in cases of a documented clinical and radiological progression.