Since medulloblastomas usually develop near the fourth ventricle, they frequently disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and create pressure inside the skull, a condition known as hydrocephalus. In very young children (under age 3), hydrocephalus may cause the skull to bulge. More typical symptoms include:
Because of their growth in the posterior fossa and cerebellum, medulloblastomas can often lead to gait and walking difficulties, or other abnormal movements.
Most children who have headaches or nausea don’t have brain tumors, of course. But any child showing neurological symptoms such as those listed above should be seen by a pediatrician for a checkup. When a tumor is suspected, the child should be evaluated by an experienced neurosurgeon for an accurate diagnosis (see Diagnosing and Treating a Medulloblastoma).
Reviewed by: Umberto Tosi, MD
Last reviewed/last updated: September 2024
