INTRACRANIAL TUMORS DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF LIFE - PRESENTING FEATURES

Between 1979 and 1994, 21 children (nine females, 12 males) with intra cranial tumours diagnosed before the age of 2 years (range 2-23 months ) were treated at the University Hospital of Wales. The commonest pres enting symptoms were vomiting (n=9) and unsteadiness (n=8); the common est presenting sign was enlarged occipitofrontal circumference (>97th centile in 16 and >90th centile in a further two). In five cases with signs of raised intracranial pressure, meningitis was the clinical dia gnosis, and a lumbar puncture was performed. For cases with long delay s in diagnosis, multiple other disorders had been considered and the s ignificance of head enlargement had not been recognised. In very early childhood, intracranial tumours are uncommon and can mimic other diso rders, especially meningitis. Early neuroimaging is advised when a chi ld presents with recent onset of neurological symptoms and a dispropor tionately large head.