Pediatric brainstem glioma

Brainstem gliomas account for 10%-20% of childhood nervous system tumors, with an average age of onset of 5-9 years. They are classified into five types: focal, cystic, exophytic, cervicomedullary junction, and diffuse intrinsic tumors. The first four types are mostly low-grade gliomas, while diffuse intrinsic tumors are mostly high-grade gliomas and may metastasize. There are often corresponding cranial nerve deficits, such as facial distortion and choking on swallowing (involvement of cranial nerves VI, VII, IX), unsteady gait and limb ataxia (cerebellar involvement), etc. Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure are relatively less common.