Choroid plexus papillomas.

Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are rare neoplasms accounting for less than 1% of all intracranial tumours. We present our experience with 13 consecutive cases managed by us between 1981 and 1991. There were eight children and five adults. Five patients had tumours in the 4th ventricle, four in lateral ventricle, one in the 3rd ventricle, two in the cerebellomedullary cistern and one in the cerebellopontine angle. The cerebellomedullary cistern is a rare site for CPPs. Although the 4th ventricle remains the common site for adult CPPs, in our series there was a higher incidence of posterior fossa papillomas even in children. Only six patients out of 13 underwent precraniotomy shunts. All patients had their tumours operated upon and verified histologically. Total excision of the tumour could be achieved in nine patients; only a sub total excision was possible in the remaining four. There were two surgical mortalities in the earlier part of this series. Two patients with subtotal excisions underwent radiation therapy; one of these had regrowth of the tumour and another was lost to follow up. The other nine patients are doing well with a follow-up ranging from 9 to 90 months. Surgical resection with the objective of achieving total excision should be attempted in these tumours.