Lateral ventricle tumors in children: a series of 54 cases

A series of 54 patients with lateral ventricle tumors diagnosed and surgica lly treated from 1988 to 1998 was reviewed. Neoplasms invading ventricles a nd originating beyond their walls were excluded. There were 35 male and 19 female patients. Their ages ranged from 15 days to 20 years, and two freque ncy peaks were observed, one at 2 and one at 11 years. The most frequent si gns and symptoms were attributed to increased intracranial pressure. The 54 patients included 41 who developed hydrocephalus, but only 15 of these req uired shunting. The trigonal region and frontal horn were the most common s ites of origin. Surgery was planned with due consideration for the localiza tion of the tumor, its presumptive histology, its main feeding vessels, the parenchymal functionality, and the presence or absence of hydrocephalus. T he most frequent tumor types were subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, chor oid plexus tumors, ependymoma, and astrocytoma. The most common complicatio ns were intraventricular hemorrhage cortical collapse, subdural collection and seizures. To conclude, turners located within the lateral ventricles ar e often very voluminous and are predominantly benign, and the treatment of choice is total resection. In the case of malignancy, postsurgical radiothe rapy and/or chemotherapy should be given.