POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMORS – A STUDY ON THE CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL PROFILE AND SURGICAL OUTCOMES IN A TERTIARY NEUROSURGERY CARE CENTER IN NORTH KARNATAKA

Dr. Kranthi Kiran; Dr. Akhilesh joshi; Dr. Iti Singh Parmar; Dr. Abhayambigai J

doi:10.65605/a-jmrhs.2026.v04.i01.pp840-847

Authors

Dr. Kranthi Kiran Professor & HOD, Department of Neurosurgery, Shri Balaji Institute of Neurosciences and Trauma, Hubli, Karnataka, India. Author
Dr. Akhilesh joshi Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr. Susheela Tiwari Government Hospital, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India. Author
Dr. Iti Singh Parmar Consultant Neurosurgeon, Shri Balaji Institute of Neurosciences and Trauma, Hubli, Karnataka, India. Author
Dr. Abhayambigai J Postgraduate, Department of Neurosurgery, Balaji Hospitals, Hubli, Karnataka, India. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65605/a-jmrhs.2026.v04.i01.pp840-847

Keywords:

Posterior Fossa; Brain Neoplasms; Medulloblastoma; Astrocytoma; Schwannoma; Neurosurgical Procedures; Treatment Outcome; Karnofsky Performance Status.

Abstract

Background: Posterior cranial fossa (PCF) tumors account for more than 50% of brain tumors in children. Medulloblastoma and Pilocytic astrocytoma are the most common brain tumors in childhood and adolescence. In India, among these tumors, medulloblastoma has been reported as the most common, followed by astrocytoma. Cerebellopontine (CP) angle tumors were also included in our study. This study aims to evaluate the clinicopathological profile and surgical outcomes of PCF tumours across all age groups in our tertiary neurosurgical care centre in North Karnataka.

Methods: This was a combined prospective and retrospective study conducted over a period of four years at our institution. Clinical data were collected at three time points: at admission, at discharge, and at 30-day follow-up. The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale was used to assess functional outcomes, and histopathological grading of tumors was recorded. The data were compiled, analyzed, and interpreted to assess correlations between clinical, radiological, and pathological findings, as well as surgical outcomes.

Results: The most common PCF tumor observed in our study was schwannoma, with equal prevalence among males and females. In this study, more than 70% of patients underwent gross total resection. Functional outcomes improved significantly following surgical intervention, with higher KPS scores at 30-day follow-up compared to admission and discharge scores. Postoperative complications and new neurological deficits were noted but did not significantly affect overall patient outcomes. MRI proved to be a highly valuable diagnostic modality for PCF tumors, demonstrating strong correlation with histopathological findings.

Conclusion: With appropriate and individualized management strategies, posterior fossa tumors can be effectively treated, resulting in favorable surgical and functional outcomes despite their challenging anatomical location and histological diversity.