Brain stem tumours-diagnosis and surgical treatment.

The diagnosis of brain stem tumours is mainly based on clinical findings and CT examinations: The CT examination including intravenous or intrathecal administration of contrast media together with electronic image-reconstruction greatly influences the indications for direct operation. According to our interpretation, direct surgical treatment is apparently successful under the following circumstances: - in tumours with external growth, which allows a decompression of the tumour without harming the surrounding structures in the brain stem. - in tumours with a marked cystic component, especially if the compressive effect is causing the features and progress of the symptoms.