Tumours in the posterior fossa in children only present minor problems in diagnosis since the introduction of the computerized tomogram, but in postoperative follow-up studies it is rather difficult to distinguish between the various findings in the posterior fossa. This holds true especially for medulloblastomas and ependymomas. Operative changes in the anatomical structures, metal-clips, scar-like changes, post-radiation sclerosis and other findings are reasons why it is almost impossible to diagnose early recurrence of these tumours. In order to obtain more information after operation, CT findings were studied in 36 children with tumours in the posterior fossa. The findings are summarized and discussed.

Tumours in the sellar region may still present diagnostic problems. We therefore compared encephalotomographic and CT findings in sellar tumours and 91 patients were examined by both methods. For clinical purposes and operative treatment the degree of compression of the hypothalamus is of great importance. Encephalotomographic and CT findings are analysed and demonstrated. In cases of density differences between tumour and brain tissue shown by contrast enhancement, more information on the inner structure of a tumour (cystic or solid) can be obtained by computerized tomography. But if these are no density differences or/and contrast enhancement, tumour diagnosis is made easier by encephalotomography because of the great efficiency of this method.

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Perioperative hormone determinations were performed in 16 patients with acromegaly, in 12 patients with prolactinomas and in 4 patients with tumours producing ACTH. These determinations are an essential basis for assessing the results of the operation. Surgical treatment is the method of choice in hormone-active tumours if reduction of the elevated hormone values cannot be achieved with drug treatment. An exponential lowering of the hormone level can be obtained in acromegaly and in tumours producing ACTH. Although levels above 100 ng/ml could be reduced, it was not possible to restore them to standard values. In some cases, it was possible to lower the prolactin level, but normal values could never be obtained because of the size of tumours. The consequences resulting from these findings (drug treatment and radiotherapy) are discussed.