Echo-encephalographic studies in patients with space-occupying lesions in the posterior fossa

Echo-encephalographic studies were performed on 57 patients treated for space-occupying lesions in the posterior fossa. Preoperative echo-ventriculography (EVG) on 36 patients showed that 32 (89%) had dilatation of the third ventricle. Three of the four patients with normal preoperative ventricle width had cerebello-pontine angle tumors. Papilledema was lacking in many cases with considerable ventricular dilatation on EVG. Postoperative examinations on 49 patients showed in most cases a fairly rapid normalization of ventricular size often already during the first 1-4 weeks after operation. Postoperative EVG monitoring of the ventricular system was particularly useful for detection of shunt dysfunctions and recurrence of tumors. Computerized tomography have to some extent replaced echo-encephalography, but it is concluded that EVG still offers some definite advantages for certain application in the management of patients with posterior fossa lesions.