Choroid plexus papilloma of the posterior third ventricle during infancy & childhood: report of two cases with management morbidities.

We report two cases of posterior third ventricular choroid plexus papilloma, one in an 8-month-old infant and another in a two-year-old child. These cases presented with features of obstructive hydrocephalus. Both these patients underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt surgery prior to the tumor excision. Following the VP shunt surgery both patients developed ascitis requiring exteriorization of the abdominal end of the shunt. There was a clear proof of CSF overproduction: 1400-1500 ml/day in the eight-month-old infant and 900-1200 ml/day in the two-year-old child. In the former it was transient and could be treated with revision of the VP shunt whereas in the second case a ventriculo-arterial shunt had to be done. In the second case a staged reduction cranioplasty was also performed for an enormously enlarged head (head circumference--74 cm). Interesting clinical and radiological findings and useful management strategies are described.