Bibliogr. s. 52

Background: Congenital brain tumors account for 0.5-1.5 % of all congenital neoplasms in neonates. They are most commonly found in the supratentorial region, with the ratio 4:1 to the infratentorial structures. The neoplasms consist of a variety of histologic types, with predominance of teratoma and rarely astrocytoma or choroid plexus papilloma. Because of the elasticity of the infantile skull, the tumors attain huge size. Material/Methods: In the period 1994-2007, 41 congenital brain tumors were diagnosed at the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute. The patients underwent the CT and MR examinations. In 3 cases, prenatal US revealed intracranial masses. Results: Histologically the most of the tumors were astrocytoma structures (45%) and the second type was choroid plexus papilloma (15%). A teratoma was diagnosed only in one child (0.24%). In 32 (77%) patients a huge, heterogeneous mass in the supratentorial area was observed at the time of the diagnostic examinations. Conclusions: Congenital CNS massess detected after delivery period present different histological types. As a result of this histological variety, we observe different CT and MR images. These truly congenital tumors produce symptoms at birth or within the first 2 weeks of life.