[Three pediatric cases with choroid plexus papilloma in the fourth ventricle]

Choroid plexus papillomas are rare; they comprise less than 1% of all intracranial tumors. In children, most of these neoplasms arise in the lateral ventricle while in adults they are primarily located in the fourth ventricle. We report 3 children with choroid plexus papilloma in the fourth ventricle; they were one 5-month-old girl and 2 boys aged 8-and 15-years. The baby girl presented with macrocephaly and signs of raised intracranial pressure, the 2 boys exhibited cerebellar signs. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the tumors were well-enhanced with a cauliflower-like contour and hydrocephalus. In one case, diffusion weighted images (DWIs) showed an isointense tumor signal clearly different from the well-known hyperintensity of medulloblastomas, Via suboccipital craniotomy we succeeded in the total or subtotal surgical resection of these tumors and there were no sequela. None of the tumors have recurred in the intervening 2-9 years. In conclusion, choroid plexus papilloma should be included as a differential diagnosis in children presenting with tumors in the fourth ventricle. The contour of the tumor on MRI and its intensity on DWI may be clues for a correct preoperative diagnosis.