Choroid plexus carcinoma: a case report

• Published in: Neuro-chirurgie Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 333 - 336
• Main Authors: Abbes, K, Khabir, A, Bahloul, K, Boudawara, M Z, Boudawara, T S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.06.2009
• Subjects: Animals; Carcinoembryonic Antigen - blood; Carcinoma - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma - pathology; Carcinoma - surgery; Cerebral Hemorrhage - pathology; Child, Preschool; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms - pathology; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms - surgery; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Intraoperative Complications - pathology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0028-3770
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2008.05.003

Choroid plexus carcinomas are rare and occur more frequently in children than in adults. The differential diagnosis includes choroid plexus papilloma and papillary ependymoma. The prognosis is generally poor. The objective of this paper is to discuss the epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this rare childhood tumor. A three-year-old child was hospitalized with a history of partial epilepsy and intracranial hypertension. A computed tomography scan showed an intracranial mass measuring 11cm in diameter, extending to the ventricle system with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. He was urgently operated for loss of consciousness. During the operation, the patient developed an abundant hemorrhage and died. The histopathological examination of the excised tumor identified a choroid plexus carcinoma. Choroid plexus carcinomas are rare and treatment is currently controversial. Radical excision is quite difficult and associated with excessive blood loss.