Surgical biopsy of DIPGs is technically feasible, associated with acceptable risks, and can provide biologic data that can inform treatment decisions.

Chemotherapy and radiation did not benefit those with high-grade astrocytomas of the spinal cord. Good outcomes can be achieved by conservative surgery for low-grade astrocytomas of the cord when adjuvant therapy is given. Carboplatin and vincristine appeared to be effective, safe therapy for those with low-grade astrocytomas of the cord.

Early decompression of Chiari I malformation with syringomyelia and scoliosis resulted in improvement or stabilization of the spinal deformity in 5 cases. Each of these patients underwent decompression before 8 years of age and before the curve was severe. However, this series represents a few patients demonstrating this trend, and further follow-up and investigation are warranted.

No abstract