Introduction: Tumours of the tectal region form, within the group of gliomas of the brain stem, a sub group with better prognosis which require a different therapeutic strategy.
Objectives: A retrospective review of tectal tumours in children to find the most suitable therapeutic approach and the prognosis to be expected.
Patients and methods: We reviewed 8 paediatric patients who, during the past 11 years, had developed tectal tumours diagnosed by means of neuro imaging techniques. We evaluated their clinical features and especially their clinico radiological progress.
Results: The average age at the time of diagnosis was 10 years. All cases presented with the clinical features of raised intracranial pressure secondary to obstruction of the aqueduct of Sylvius. MR was the key to visualization of the tectal lesion in all cases but one, which had already been shown on CT. The initial and only treatment given was a ventricular shunt. The average clinico radiological follow up in our series was 4 years, with good progress in all cases so that no other therapeutic measures were required. MR follow up showed that the tumours were stable in all cases but one, which had increased slightly in size but without parallel clinical signs.
Conclusion: In most cases tectal tumours in children follow a benign course. A ventricular shunt is usually the only treatment necessary. However, close clinical and radiological follow up should be carried out to rule out growth of the tumour which make other treatment also necessary. MR is the method of choice for initial evaluation and follow up of these tumours.