Treatment of third ventricular choroid plexus papilloma in an infant with embolization alone

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 3-month-old boy with a third ventricular tumor consistent with a choroid plexus papilloma. This child presented with macrocephaly, irritability, inability to roll over, and vomiting. He was found to have an enlarged head circumference, a full and tense fontanel, splayed sutures, and forced downward gaze. Imaging revealed severe ventriculomegaly and a brightly enhancing third ventricular lesion consistent with papilloma. Treatment planning included placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to treat hydrocephalus and to allow the child to grow prior to resection. Due to the vascular nature of these tumors and the age of this child, the tumor was embolized with a plan for eventual resection; however, embolization resulted in involution and total regression of the tumor. There is no residual disease at last follow-up of 16 months. In this specific scenario of a choroid plexus papilloma in an infant, when operative intervention may be technically difficult and associated with significant morbidity, embolization with close observation may be a valid treatment option. If used, the patient would need to be closely followed for evidence of residual or recurrent disease, which would require operative intervention.