Frequent Abdominal Pain and Vomiting in 5-Year-Old Boy Revealed to Be Caused by Brain Tumor

Abdominal pain and vomiting… Most people, upon hearing these symptoms, think of gastrointestinal issues. Xiao Xun’s (a pseudonym) parents thought the same. They didn’t expect these symptoms to last for two months. Finally, the mystery was solved, revealing a large tumor hidden deep in Xiao Xun’s brain.

Challenging Brain Tumor Surgery in Critical Area

Xiao Xun, a 5-year-old boy, recently suffered from frequent abdominal pain and vomiting. Initially, his family thought it was gastroenteritis caused by poor hygiene. After two months of targeted treatment and careful observation, the condition not only didn’t improve but worsened, with frequent episodes of pain and vomiting worrying the entire family.

Fortunately, a neurosurgeon at the hospital suspected the problem might be more complex than gastroenteritis and recommended a CT scan of the head. This decision uncovered a significant issue—a large tumor deep in Xiao Xun’s brain.

This sudden bad news struck Xiao Xun’s parents like a bolt of lightning. In their anxiety and unease, they sought treatment and eventually found Dr. Zhang Maoying, chief neurosurgeon at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University.

After carefully reviewing Xiao Xun’s imaging results, Dr. Zhang explained the difficulty and risk of the surgery: “The tumor’s location is extremely dangerous, hidden in the dorsal side of the brainstem in the posterior fossa, extending from the opening of the aqueduct of the fourth ventricle to the C1 position at the craniovertebral junction. More challenging is that it extends through the lateral recess to both sides, invading the pontocerebellar area. It’s large and deeply situated, closely connected with the brainstem, blood vessels, and nerves, making the surgery very difficult.”

After precise measurements, the tumor in Xiao Xun’s posterior brain was found to be 6.4 x 5.4 x 5.1 cm. Facing such a severe condition, Dr. Zhang gave a firm commitment: “Although Xiao Xun’s tumor is large, complex, and dangerous, with advanced equipment and precise techniques, we are fully capable of completely removing it.”

Successful 6-Hour Surgery Brings Hope for a New Life

Due to the critical location of Xiao Xun’s posterior brain tumor—the brainstem, which is the command center of the brain responsible for vital functions like breathing, heartbeat, and consciousness, and surrounded by dense cranial nerves and complex tissue structures—the surgery was highly difficult. Especially for a child weighing less than 20 kilograms with limited blood volume, this surgery tested the doctors’ professional skills and mental resilience to the limit.

With thorough preoperative evaluation and meticulous preparation, the medical team tailored a delicate minimally invasive surgical plan for Xiao Xun, assisted by advanced neuroelectrophysiological monitoring technology. This technology acted like a pair of keen eyes during the surgery, maximizing the protection of his brain and nerve functions, ensuring surgical safety, and enhancing postoperative quality of life. After six hours of intense effort, the surgery was successful, and the tumor was completely removed.

Postoperative pathology results showed it to be an ependymoma. Currently, under the careful care of medical staff and family, Xiao Xun is recovering quickly after the surgery. His symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting have disappeared, and he has finally returned home with a smile.

Warning Signs of Ependymomas in Children with Unexplained Vomiting and Unsteady Walking

Childhood ependymomas, a significant type of brain tumor in children, account for about one-tenth of all childhood brain tumors. They mainly affect children and adolescents, with a slightly higher risk in boys than girls. Although the cause is not fully understood, the medical community generally believes that genetic factors and environmental factors play significant roles.

It is worth noting that most ependymomas grow slowly and may initially be silent, without obvious symptoms. Dr. Zhang Maoying stated that early symptoms of childhood ependymomas are often non-specific, such as vomiting, unsteady gait, and drowsiness. These symptoms are common in children and difficult to associate with a specific disease. Especially in infants, children cannot clearly express their feelings, making early detection particularly challenging.

Therefore, parents need to be vigilant and carefully observe their children’s physical changes. If they notice persistent poor mental state, unclear speech, eye deviation, unusual nighttime crying accompanied by head-hitting (possibly indicating discomfort), significantly increased head circumference, frequent and stubborn vomiting, or noticeable decline in motor abilities, they should seek professional medical help immediately.

Timely professional evaluation and examination are key to early detection and effective treatment of childhood ependymomas. Dr. Zhang emphasized that through scientific diagnosis and personalized treatment plans, doctors can secure the most precious treatment time window for children, maximizing the improvement of prognosis and safeguarding their healthy growth.