Preoperative radiotherapy in the management of posterior fossa choroid plexus papillomas

Abstract

Although primary radical removal is the procedure of choice in the treatment of choroid plexus papillomas, the age of the child, the size and/or location of the tumor and an above average surgical risk can make advisable the use of a first stage shunt operation, with section of the tentorium if there are signs of upwards tentorial herniation. The present two observations clearly demonstrate that radiotherapy shrinks the vascular stroma of these tumors, thus reducing its size and vascularity making possible the postponement of radical surgery and greatly simplifying the final radical removal of the lesion. Preoperative radiotherapy as well as shunt operations and tentorial section can be considered as first stage procedures for the surgical management of choroid plexus neoplasms in certain cases.