Papillomas of the vascular plexus of the cerebral ventricles are usually benign neoplasms, the most common in the pediatric population. The main ailments associated with this cancer are the consequences of the occurrence of hydrocephalus and increased intracranial pressure. Papilloma of the vascular plexus can manifest itself, inter alia, in headache - what other symptoms in a child should not be underestimated, because they may suggest the existence of a cancer within the central nervous system?
Papilloma of the vascular plexus of the cerebral ventricles(Englishchoroid plexus papilloma ) is in most cases a benign tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). In the four-level WHO classification, these changes are assigned to the lowest, first degree in relation to the malignancy of CNS neoplasms. This formation occurs mainly in the pediatric population, where it accounts for less than 1% of the total number of CNS neoplasms and up to 4% of all neoplastic diseases in this age group. Papillomas of the vascular plexus in children most often develop within the lateral ventricles of the brain, while in adults the most common location of these lesions is the fourth ventricle. The lesion is almost three times more common in male patients.
Papilloma of the vascular plexus of the ventricles of the brain: causes
Papillomas of the choroid plexus develop from the epithelial cells of the choroid plexuses, which are present in the ventricles of the brain of every human being. The specific phenomena leading to this type of cancer are still unknown. Genetic disorders are considered to be factors potentially involved in the pathogenesis of the disease - it is noticeable that this neoplasm is more frequent in patients with certain genetically determined diseases, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. According to some of the more recent scientific reports, the occurrence of papillomas of the vascular plexus of the brain ventricles may be influenced by mutations in the NOTCH3 receptor protein. It turns out that abnormalities in the activity of this protein can promote oncogenesis and the appearance of various neoplastic lesions in humans, including papillomas of the vascular plexus.
Papilloma of the vascular plexus of the ventricles of the brain: symptoms
Symptoms of papillomaThe choroid plexus is closely related to the behavior of this neoplasm. It has the ability to produce cerebrospinal fluid, which causes excessive amounts of this substance in patients. The effect of such phenomena is the occurrence of hydrocephalus in patients and increased intracranial pressure, which primarily lead to such ailments as:
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
- visual disturbance
- optic disc swelling
- paralysis of cranial nerves (mainly oculomotor and abductor nerves)
Less frequent, but also occurring symptoms of vascular plexus papilloma of the ventricles of the brain are:
- block nerve palsy
- psychotic disorders
- seizures
Vascular plexus papilloma: diagnosis
The diagnosis of the vascular plexus papilloma of the ventricles of the brain is made on the basis of the results of imaging examinations. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head are used for this purpose. Thanks to these tests, it is possible to visualize neoplastic growth in the light of one of the brain's ventricles. It is important not only to visualize the change itself, but also to assess its morphology. The assessments take into account, inter alia, the presence of calcifications within the tumor. The punctual points may indicate that the patient does indeed have benign papilloma, while numerous calcifications may, in turn, be of considerable concern, as they are more typical of another entity that may also develop in the ventricles of the brain, which is choroid plexus cancer.
Papilloma of the vascular plexus of the ventricles of the brain: treatment
In patients with papilloma of the vascular plexus of the ventricles of the brain, surgical treatment is primarily used. During the operation, it is possible to perform an intraoperative histopathological examination, thanks to which the nature of the lesion is finally confirmed. Other oncological treatments, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, are rarely used for this cancer. They can be used, for example, in patients in whom surgery has not completely removed the tumor. In most patients, surgery allows for a cure. With tumor resection, hydrocephalus usually subsides, but in some patients it may persist after surgery and it may be necessary to use a ventricular peritoneal valve to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the inside of the skull.