Primary cerebral neuroblastomas

Abstract

Two children with primary cerebral neuroblastomas are reported and the other cases from the literature are reviewed. Cerebral neuroblastomas are a distinct pathological entity, which differs from other neuroectodermal tumours, although the clinical features are aspecific. The review of the CT findings shows that neuroblastomas appear as large solid tumours in half of the cases and as cystic lesions in the other half; massive contrast enhancement, calcification and cystic hypodensity are typical CT features. The importance of a radical operation and radiotherapy is stressed. The long-term prognosis is better for the cystic forms; also neuroblastomas seem to have a longer survival than other primitive neuroectodermal tumours.