The surgical treatment of choroid plexus papillomas: the results of 27 years experience.

This paper reports the results of 27 choroid plexus papillomas surgically treated, out of 28 cases observed in the authors institute during the period 1952-1978. These were divided into two groups: a) those operated on before 1969; b) those operated on in 1969 and the following years, when microsurgical facilities were routinely employed. As a rule, neither ventricular shunting nor radiation therapy were used preoperatively. A total removal was attempted in all cases, and performed in all but three. The second group (1969-1978) showed better results as regards the number of totally removed tumours (92% against 87%), surgical deaths (16% against 31%), and long-term good results (67% against 44%). Considering both groups together, long-term good results were achieved in 15 patients (55%), followed up from 2 to 27 years. Radical operation is the treatment of choice for choroid plexus papilloma. As indicated by the author's experience, this produces satisfactory long-term results, whilst surgical mortality can be held within acceptable limits, provided that modern techniques are used properly. The value of radiation therapy, which in any event should be restricted to malignant cases, remains questionable.