PERITONEAL METASTASES IN 2 PATIENTS WITH PINEALOBLASTOMA AND VENTRICULO-PERITONEAL SHUNTS

We report the uncommon occurrence of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt-assoc iated peritoneal metastases in two patients with pineoblastoma. In one patient, the peritoneal cavity was the only site of recurrence; there was no evidence of disease recurrence in the central nervous system. One other patient with recurrent intracranial disease had synchronous, but asymptomatic, peritoneal metastases which were detected on an ele ctive ultrasound. Although rare, peritoneal metastases appear to respo nd well to systemic chemotherapy. Ultrasound surveillance of the abdom en should be considered as a part of the routine follow-up evaluation in patients with embryonal central nervous system tumors and ventricul o-peritoneal shunts. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.