[Computed tomography and/or ventriculography? (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Radiology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Intracranial tumors require accurate diagnostic imaging for effective treatment.
• The utility of computed tomography (CT) versus ventriculography for diagnosing posterior fossa tumors has been debated.
• Pediatric patients often present unique challenges in neurodiagnostic imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography (CT) and ventriculography in patients with intracranial tumors.
• To evaluate the necessity of ventriculography in the modern neurosurgical diagnostic pathway.
• To assess the safety and patient burden associated with each imaging modality.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 134 patients with intracranial tumors, including 93 children under 14.
• All patients underwent both computed tomography (CT) and ventriculography.
• Image quality and diagnostic yield of both methods were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to ventriculography.
• CT provided high-quality images adequate for neurosurgical intervention in most cases.
• Ventriculography, an invasive procedure, was associated with patient stress and potential complications.

Conclusions:

• Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing intracranial tumors, offering high diagnostic value with minimal invasiveness.
• Ventriculography is largely unnecessary for the diagnosis of intracranial tumors in the era of advanced CT technology.
• CT imaging significantly reduces the need for invasive procedures and associated risks in neuro-oncology patients.