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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Processing of Primary Brain Tumor Tissue for Stem Cell Assays and Flow Sorting
Published on: September 25, 2012
[Brain tumors in infants]
J Issakainen1, U Willi, E Boltshauser
1Universitätskinderklinik Zürich.
Insights
Pediatric brain tumors in infants present unique challenges, with seizures being a common initial symptom. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurology
Context:
- Retrospective analysis of 15 infants treated for brain tumors at Children's University Hospital of Zürich between 1975 and 1987.
- Investigated the clinical presentation, localization, and surgical management of infant brain tumors.
- 3 cases presented with initial symptoms at birth, highlighting congenital onset possibilities.
Purpose:
- To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of brain tumors in a cohort of infants.
- To evaluate the efficacy of surgical interventions for pediatric brain tumors.
- To identify common presenting symptoms and tumor locations in this age group.
Summary:
- Epileptic convulsions were the most frequent initial manifestation (40%).
- Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure were observed in one-third of cases.
- Tumors were predominantly supratentorial (73%), with fewer in the cerebellum and brainstem.
- Surgical exploration was performed in 13 children with no perioperative mortality; radical or subtotal tumor excision was achieved in all operated cases.
Impact:
- Highlights the diagnostic challenges, as clinical symptoms and EEG often failed to localize tumors.
- Demonstrates the feasibility and safety of surgical management for infant brain tumors.
- Provides insights into the natural history and management strategies for pediatric brain tumors.
Abstract:
1975-87 there were 15 infants in the Childrens University Hospital of Zürich, cared for a brain tumor. In 3 cases the first symptoms were already present by birth. In our cases epileptic convulsions were the most common first manifestation of the tumor (40%). In most cases neither clinical symptoms nor EEG changes helped to localize the tumor. In one third of the cases the tumor was manifested with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. In 11 children (73%) the tumor was localized supratentorially, in 3 cases in the cerebellum, in one case in the brainstem. 13 children were operated, without perioperative mortality. In 10 cases the tumor was radically extirpated, in 3 cases only a subtotal excision of the tumor was possible.
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