BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebellar @entity816 (CPA) bears a well-deserved reputation of benignity. However, these @entity5 infiltrate the brainstem in a number of cases, and total removal may cause morbidity, whereas subtotal removal can lead to recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To define guidelines for @entity5 removal, management of @entity5 remnants and recurrence, we reviewed 72 cases of CPA of childhood operated on in our department since the introduction of CT. RESULTS: Surgical removal was total in 57 cases, had to be withheld because of brainstem infiltration in nine cases, and was revealed subtotal by postoperative imaging in six cases. Two of the latter were reoperated on; six had only radiological controls and did not progress. Early in the series, eight @entity1 had external irradiation because of subtotal removal or recurrence. Three @entity1 were reoperated on for @entity5 recurrence, between six and eight years after complete removal. We had no @entity5 -related mortality; long-term disability could be related to previous @entity1032 , the severity of clinical state at presentation, and complications of surgery and irradiation. CONCLUSION: The goal of surgery is to cure the @entity1 with minimal morbidity, however, total removal is not always possible. In our experience: i) @entity5 remnants can be surveyed radiologically, and reoperated only in case of progression; ii) the indications for radiotherapy should be the exception; iii) clinical and radiological follow-up should be protracted beyond entry into adulthood.

[Cerebellar @entity816 in XXXX . Report of 72 cases].

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'tumors'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'patient'] @entity1032 :: ('MESH:D008607', 'Disease') :: ['mental retardation'] @entity816 :: ('MESH:D001254', 'Disease') :: ['pilocytic astrocytoma']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['children']
