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:
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: Mark Souweidane, MD
Last reviewed/last updated: April 2022
