Use of a telovelar approach for complete resection of a choroid plexus tumor in a dog

Abstract

Objective: To describe a telovelar approach to the fourth ventricle for excision of a choroid plexus tumor within the ventricle. Animal: A 3-year-old entire male Chihuahua. Study design: Case report. Methods: A 3-year-old dog with two-month history of progressive vestibular signs and subdued mentation was diagnosed with a fourth ventricle tumor. Gross total resection of the tumor was achieved through a telovelar approach to the fourth ventricle. Results: Complete removal of the tumor was confirmed on immediate postoperative MRI. The dog recovered from the surgical procedure without complications, displaying some neurological deficits as preoperatively. His neurological examination was normal 2 weeks after surgery and remained so until the time of writing this case report (28 months) without additional treatment. Conclusion: The telovelar approach allowed complete excision of a choroid plexus tumor located in the fourth ventricle of the dog reported here.