SURG-20. DIENCEPHALIC SYNDROME IN PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGERY

This report details the histories of twelve patients with clinical diencephalic syndrome who collectively demonstrate the variability found in the syndrome with respect to: (1) clinical course, (2) site of the tumor, and (3) ease of obtaining radiologic confirmation of the presence of a tumor. Timely diagnosis of diencephalic syndrome is not often the case for patients presenting with failure to thrive (FTT) because of its rarity and lack of specific symptoms. These cases illustrate the importance of cranial imaging and consideration of diencephalic syndrome for children presenting with FTT despite normal or increased caloric intake.