Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
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This study aims to describe the characteristics of severe head injuries in children less than 6 years old, victims of falls from windows, and identify the main predictive factors of mortality in this population. ⋯ Severe head injuries resulting from falls from windows carry a high risk of mortality in less than 6-year-old children. Hypothermia, hyperglycemia, and coagulation's disorders are independent predictive factors of mortality. Early deaths could be considered as direct consequences of uncontrollable brain lesions.
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Astroblastoma is an unusual brain tumor in childhood. Tumor usually arises from cerebral hemispheres. This large tumor is well-demarcated, lobulated, solid or cystic, and therefore, may resemble glioblastoma. Histopathologically, there are two types of astroblastoma: well-differentiated (low-grade) or anaplastic (high-grade). In low-grade astroblastoma, treatment of choice is complete excision. This type of tumor usually does not recur. However, anaplastic tumors can recur despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and may be problematic for clinician. ⋯ High-grade astroblastomas behave like glioblastoma, as emphasized in this case report. Local control of this type of tumor seems difficult despite surgery, radiation therapy, and cisplatin-based chemotherapy.