Choroid plexus papillomas
Choroid plexus papillomas are an uncommon, benign (WHO grade I) neuroepithelial intraventricular tumor, which can occur in both the pediatric (more common) and adult population.
On imaging, these tumors are usually identified in the fourth ventricle in adults and in the lateral ventricles in the pediatric population. They commonly present as a solid vascular tumor with a vivid frond-like enhancement pattern. In a quarter of cases, speckled calcifications are present.
Epidemiology
Overall, these tumors account for approximately 1% of all brain tumors, 2-6% of pediatric brain tumors and 0.5% of adult brain tumors. They are, however, disproportionately represented in brain tumors in children under the age of 1 . Approximately 85% of all choroid plexus papillomas occur in children under the age of 5 years .
Interestingly, the age distribution is very different for infratentorial (fourth ventricle) and supratentorial (usually lateral ventricle) tumors. The vast majority of supratentorial tumors are seen in children, whereas posterior fossa tumors are evenly distributed among all age groups, including the elderly .
Clinical presentation
Hydrocephalus is very common, seen in over 80% of cases . Although the exact mechanism remains uncertain, it is believed to be due to a combination of CSF overproduction and decreased arachnoid granulation resorption.
Associations
An association with Aicardi syndrome and von Hippel-Lindau disease (as well as the more frequently associated hemangioblastoma) is recognized.
Pathology
Choroid plexus papillomas are WHO grade I lesions. Their low mitotic rate (<2 mitoses are present per 10 high-power field) and, to a lesser degree, histological features distinguish them from atypical choroid plexus papillomas (WHO grade II) and choroid plexus carcinomas (WHO Grade III) .
Macroscopic appearance
Choroid plexus papillomas typically appear as cauliflower-like masses .
Microscopic appearance
These tumors demonstrate papillary structures with a delicate fibrovascular core lined by columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells with vesicular basal nuclei. Their appearance is very similar to normal choroid plexus .
Immunophenotype
- cytokeratins: positive (especially CK7)
- vimentin: positive
- transthyretin
- usually positive
- also found in normal choroid plexus
- better prognosis if positive
- S100
- variable
- better prognosis if positive
- KIR7.1
- usually positive and specific
- potassium channel also found in normal choroid plexus
Radiographic features
On imaging, choroid plexus papillomas are characterized by vividly enhancing masses, usually intraventricular. Hydrocephalus is common.
Location
Unlike most other brain tumors, which are more common in the posterior fossa in children and supratentorial compartment in adults, the relationship is reversed for choroid plexus papillomas:
- adults: most often (70%) occur in the fourth ventricle
- children: most often occur in the lateral ventricles, with a predilection for the trigone
Third ventricular, cerebellopontine angle, parenchymal, and even pineal region tumors have also been described.
CT
The tumors are usually well-defined lobulated masses, either iso- or somewhat hyperdense compared to the adjacent brain. There is associated hydrocephalus. They usually homogeneously enhance, demonstrating an irregular frond-like pattern, resulting in a cauliflower-like appearance. If there is markedly heterogeneous contrast enhancement, a choroid plexus carcinoma should be suspected .
Fine, speckled calcification is seen within the tumor in approximately 25% of cases .
MRI
The frond-like morphology of the tumor can usually be seen, especially following contrast administration. Varying degrees of associated hydrocephalus are also present in almost all cases.
- T1: typically isointense compared to adjacent brain; may be somewhat hypointense
- T2
- iso to hyperintense
- small flow-voids may be seen within the tumor
- T1 C+ (Gd): marked enhancement, tends to be homogeneous
- MR spectroscopy
- decreased NAA
- increased Cho
Angiography
Being very vascular tumors, these masses demonstrate intense vascular blush on angiography. Enlarged choroidal arteries may be seen feeding the tumor, with shunting .
Treatment and prognosis
Total excision should be the aim of therapy and is curative in a vast majority of cases. Overall, there is 90% 1-year-survival, and 77% 5-year-survival .
CSF seeding is uncommon in choroid plexus papillomas, but far more frequently seen in higher-grade tumors such as atypical choroid plexus papillomas and choroid plexus carcinomas .
Differential diagnosis
The differential is essentially that of other choroid plexus tumors:
- atypical choroid plexus papilloma: indistinguishable, but far less common
- choroid plexus carcinoma: can be very difficult on imaging alone
- almost exclusively found in young children
- heterogeneous contrast enhancement
- may show parenchymal invasion
- choroid plexus metastases
When located in the posterior fossa in children (less common) other tumors to be considered include:
In adults, and depending on location, consider:
- ependymoma
- intraventricular meningioma
- subependymoma
- central neurocytoma
- exophytic glioma
Siehe auch:
- Hydrocephalus
- Ependymom
- intraventrikuläre Neoplasien und Läsionen
- Hämangioblastom
- Medulloblastom
- Karzinom des Plexus choroideus
- Hirntumoren
- intraventrikuläres Meningeom
- Morbus Hippel-Lindau
- intraventrikuläres Neurozytom
- Subependymom
- Tumoren des Plexus choroideus
- Arteria choroidea
- atypischer teratoider rhabdoider Tumor
- WHO Grade II
- WHO Grade I
- atypisches Plexuspapillom
- Metastasen des Plexus choroideus
und weiter:
- Tumor Kleinhirnbrückenwinkel
- WHO-Klassifikation der Tumoren des zentralen Nervensystems
- Aicardi-Goutières-Syndrom
- Plexus choroideus
- neuroradiologisches Curriculum
- intraventrikuläre Neoplasien und Läsionen - Überblick
- fetale Hirntumoren
- subependymales Riesenzellastrozytom
- Hirntumoren bei Kindern
- mass involving the foramen of Monro or/and superior third ventricle
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Plexuspapillom:
