Prediction of intraoperative blood loss in pediatric posterior fossa tumors by neuroradiological evaluation: preliminary study

Background

Hemorrhage management is crucial for surgical resection of pediatric posterior-fossa tumors (PPFTs). Tumor volume and vascularity on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help predict and control intraoperative blood loss (IBL). The present study aimed to assess the correlation between MRI features and IBL in PPFTs.

Methods

Eleven patients treated for PPFTs at our hospital using the transcerebellomedullary fissure approach were enrolled, including five (45.5%) males and six (54.5%) females, with a median age of 10 (range, 4–16) years. Nine patients with medulloblastoma, one with ependymoma, and one with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor were included. Using susceptibility-weighted imaging-based intratumoral susceptibility signal (ITSS) grade as an index of tumor vascularity, we performed univariate analysis of the association of degree of vascularity (ITSS grade 0–2 vs. 3) and multivariate analysis of IBL.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that the high vascularity group (ITSS grade 3) had significantly larger tumor volume (p = 0.009) and higher IBL (p = 0.004). In multivariate analysis of age, tumor volume, ITSS grade, cerebral blood volume, and extent of resection, tumor volume was the only significant factor (p = 0.001); however, ITSS grade was also positively associated with IBL (p = 0.074).

Conclusion

In this study, tumor volume and vascularity of PPFTs were strongly correlated, and tumor volume was the sole factor significantly associated with IBL. This study suggests that ITSS grade and tumor volume collaboratively influence IBL in surgical resection of PPFTs. IBL should be assessed based on MRI features, and suitable treatment strategies should be established.