Presentation

Almost all paediatric brain tumours are primary, rather than metastasies from other tumours elsewhere in the body. They are also generally at the back, under the cerebellum. As such, they will present with the following head based symptoms:

• headache (worse on laying down)
• vomiting
• papilloedema (swelling round eyes)
• squint (due to VIth nerve palsy)
• nystagmus
• ataxia
• personality or behaviour change

Diagnosis

Well, once you have presented with some of these symptoms, hopefully someone will have the idea "Let's do a MRI/CT scan".

Avoid lumbar puncture, as in cases of raised intracranial pressure, this can cause herniation of the brain stem. Herniation of the brain stem is something generally best avoided, since it causes instant death. Sadly, even Calpol doesn't have much effect on instantaneous death.

Management

Presumably surgery and high dose radiation. I wouldn't advise you to try this at home; ask a neurosurgeon to do it for you!