CSF seeding of primary central nervous system tumors

Since 1977, CSF seeding lesions have been revealed with CT scans in three cases of pinealoma, one of glioblastoma multiforme, one of medulloblastoma, and one of retionoblastoma. Five of the six cases were preoperative ones. Most of these metastatic lesions are asymptomatic and can only be found by means of enhancing CT scans. One case, a medulloblastoma with metastasis in the sellar region, shows that, even in the case of a posterior fossa tumor, detailed research in the supratentrium should be performed by means of CT scan. Upon radiotherapy, whole-brain irradiation is essential; otherwise a metastatic lesion may arise outside of the previously irradiated area. (author)