An evaluation of gliomas of the anterior visual pathways. A 10-year survey.

Thirteen cases of the childhood type of optic glioma from a 10-year period were studied. Particular attention was paid to the pre-operative neuro-ophthalmological and radiological findings. The patients all underwent explorative craniotomy when biopsy specimens were removed for histopathological study. Post-operative radiotherapy was given in 12 cases. In the follow-up period five patients showed deterioration of visual function, three patients showed unchanged visual function, and one patient showed improved visual function. In the remaining four patients, visual function could not be adequately determined. Three patients died in the course of the follow-up period. Retrospectively it was possible, on a histopathological basis, to divide the patients into three groups. It is suggested that the future management of these patients should consist of explorative craniotomy with diagnostic biopsy. Radiotherapy should be confined to selected cases, as only a minority of optic gliomas are radiosensitive.