[Shunt surgery in occlusive processes in the posterior cranial fossa of children]

Shunting of the cerebrospinal fluid by drainage systems of various design was conducted in 64 children aged from 4 months to 14 years with occlusive processes in the posterior cranial fossa. The occlusion was caused by a tumor in 57 cases and by an arachnoid cyst in 7 cases. All children were related to the high risk group, i. e. the prognosis of direct manipulation on the posterior cranial fossa was poor or doubtful. In 26 children surgery was limited to a shunting operation without subsequent intervention on the posterior cranial fossa. The successful implantation of the drainage system was recorded in 45 children (70.2%). In infants and young children as well as in older ones with sharply manifested hypertensive and secondary stem symptomatology the outcome was much better when the shunting operation was conducted before or at the same time as the intervention on the posterior cranial fossa. The prognosis is poorer in infants and adolescents and in primary tumors of the brain stem.