Primary intraventricular meningiomas in children—experience of two cases with review of literature

Abstract

Meningiomas are rare in the pediatric age group, more so in the intraventricular location. They arise in the lateral ventricles from the arachnoid cells contained within the choroid plexus, in the third ventricle from the velum interpositum and in the fourth ventricle from the choroids. These tumors are usually large and have an aggressive behaviour. Surgical management of intra-ventricular meningiomas is challenging because of their deep location, large size at presentation and increased vascularity. The authors report two such cases who presented with symptoms of raised intra cranial pressure and on evaluation were found to have associated hydrocephalus. Both these patients underwent surgical excision of the tumour by frontal transcortical approach and histopathology report confirmed transitional meningioma in them. Only twenty seven cases of intraventricular meningiomas in children have been reported till date. Their definitive treatment is surgery alone and total excision of the tumor is curative. Possibility of neurofibromatosis as a differential should also be considered in their management.