Management of infratentorial brain tumors.

Because 60-70% of brain tumors in children occur in the posterior fossa, the pediatric neurosurgeon must be familiar with the specialized techniques necessary for successful surgery in this region. We discuss the preoperative evaluation, surgical techniques, and postoperative management for children harboring infratentorial brain tumors. Using this approach to treatment, we have had no operative mortalities, a 2% rate of infection, a 15% rate of transient neurologic deficit, and a 5% rate of permanent neurologic deficit.