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✓ A case is presented in which two separate concurrent astrocytomas of the brain in the same patient were successfully operated on. The patient has been followed for 3 years and remains well. The authors believe that the diagnosis of multifocal tumors can be established on clinical grounds when the tumors are remote from each other, and when there has been no recurrence of neoplasm between the lesions after a long follow-up period. It is felt that a more optimistic approach to the treatment of multifocal tumors may yield good results.

A 5-year-old boy was admitted to the neurosurgical ward because of pain in the lumbar region of 1 year's duration. During the last few months the pain had increased considerably and became so severe that the touch of the trouser waist band was unbearable. There was no family history of neurofibromatosis or other neurological disease. Examination. On palpation, a very tender tumor mass of lobular consistency was felt in the midline lumbar region. The skin was normal except for local hirsutism in the area of the tumor. There was no neurological deficit, and the mass did not expand on coughing. X-ray examination of the spine did not show any pathological findings. Since the clinical and radiological picture excluded spinal involvement, myelography was not performed. Operation. On May 5, 1967, a large tumor located between the skin and the lumbodorsal fascia was exposed and totally removed. Grossly, no connection with underlying tissue was seen. The tumor was reddish yellow, solid, multilobular, and composed of "spaghetti"-like bundles (Fig. 1 ). Postoperative Course. The pain disappeared completely, and the child was discharged on the 7th postoperative day in good general condition. Neurological examination after 1 month was within normal limits. Pathological Examination. The specimen consisted of a fiat roundish mass of fat tissue, 0.5 cm thick and 4 cm in diameter, and