Diagnosis and surgical treatment of posterior fossa solid hemangioblastomas

Objective To elucidate the diagnosis and surgical the posterior fossa solid hemangio-blastomas (PFSHs) Methods The data from 22 patients with PFSHs verified by surgery and pathol ogy were analyzed retrospectively and a review of relevant literature was c onducted. Results The preoperative definitive diagnosis rate was 13/22. Total tumor r emoval was achieved in 20 patients. Two of the 22 patients died after surge ry, one of brain-stem injury and the other from an intracranial hemorrhage. Twenty patients were followed up for 2 months to 8 yeas (average, 2 years) . Karnofsky scale was greater than or equal to 80 in 15 patients, 60 - 70 i n 1 patient and not measured in 4 patients who died during follow-up. The c auses of death were pneumonia (2 patients) and purulent meningitis (2). Conclusion MRI and DSA (digital substraction angiography) are major preoper ative diagnostic modalities for PFSH, but PFSH remains a challenging benign neoplasm. Special microsurgical techniques and (i)mproved operative manipu lation can improve surgical efficacy.