Paediatric Choroid Plexus Tumours: Review Of Literature With Case Illustrations

Abstract

Choroid plexus tumours (CPTs) are rare, highly vascularized neoplasms of the central nervous system representing <1 % of all brain tumours but 12–20 % of brain tumours in the first year of life. The majority are benign and are cured with surgery (gross total resection) alone. Their management however is still a challenge to neurosurgeons due to the high morbidity associated with treatment, arising from tumour hypervascularity, young age of the patients, large tumour size at presentation, intraventricular location, and associated Hydrocephalus which may require emergency surgery under non-optimal circumstances and permanent CSF diversion. Parenchymal infiltration, seen in higher grades of these tumours, limits the extent of resection which in turn increases the risk of tumour recurrence, thus necessitating adjuvant therapy, and reduces Progression-Free Survival as well as Overall Survival. We shall review the management of Choroid Plexus Tumours in children, with case illustrations, highlighting challenges encountered.