[Surgical treatment of thalamic tumors]

15 cases of thalamic tumor are presented. Among them, 6 cases were diagnosed by ventriculography and angiography before 1980. Since 1981, 9 cases were diagnosed by CT scan. Operation was refused in 3 cases. Lateral ventriculo and superior sagittal sinus shunt was performed in one case. Open biopsy by craniotomy followed by ventriculo-interhemispheric fissure shunt was done in 2 cases. Partial resection of tumor in 8 cases. Total resection was achieved in one case. The choice of treatment of thalamic tumors is discussed. The author prefers direct operation for that may got some tumor tissues and could made the actual diagnosis pathologically. The quantity of tumor removed is decided according to the situation. Raised intracranial pressure must be controlled by shunt, and preventing its infection is very important.