Medulloblastoma invading the transverse sinus: case report

Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor of childhood. Although craniospinal dissemination within the subarachnoid space is common, invasion of the dural sinuses is rare. Here, the authors report on a 15-year-old girl who presented with a right cerebellar mass, obstructive hydrocephalus, and radiographic evidence of tumor invasion into the right transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. The patient underwent posterior fossa craniotomy, gross-total resection of the intraparenchymal component of the right cerebellar tumor, and coagulation of the tumor invading the transverse sinus. After pathological confirmation of anaplastic medulloblastoma, the patient underwent craniospinal radiation therapy and high-dose chemotherapy. At 2 years posttreatment, the child was neurologically intact with no radiographic evidence of residual disease or recurrence. The implications for disease prognosis and management are discussed.