Intraventricular tumours

Intraventricular tumours are relatively rare, histologically diverse, and commonly low grade. The location of the tumour, MRI features, associated conditions, and the age of the patient help to narrow the radiological differential diagnosis. The management of intraventricular tumours needs to be tailored to the presumed nature of the tumour, its location, size, and the general state of the patient. The management of hydrocephalus is often the first priority. Radical excision of intraventricular tumours is usually favoured for younger patients, whereas subtotal excisions or even just cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion is favoured for older patients with tumours which are less accessible. Excision of tumours, usually ependymomas originating from the floor of the fourth ventricle may be associated with significantly disabling postoperative deficit with can frequently but not always improve over a period of time. As always in brain tumour surgery, balancing radical excision and overall well-being of patients requires careful consideration.