An unexpected sudden death due to a choroid plexus papilloma: an autopsy case report

Abstract Background Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are histopathologically benign and rare central nervous system tumors. These tumors remain more frequent in children than adults. It is infrequent for these tumors to cause a sudden unexpected death. We aim in this case to discuss the unusual and fatal presentation of choroid plexus papilloma and the mechanism of death. Case presentation we report the case of a 61-year-old man with no medical history, diagnosed at autopsy with a previously unknown CPP. Initial complaints were chronic headache occurring in the last month and acute chest pain for two days. The forensic autopsy including the histopathologic examination showed a tumoral mass of the choroid plexus in the fourth ventricle diagnosed as a psammomatous CPP. The cause of death in this case was attributed to a massive cerebral edema caused by the tumoral mass. Conclusions Through this case report, we stress the importance of an early and a vigorous investigation of every headache and an early detection of this tumor and we highlight as well the role of the post mortem examination to detect such a fatal complication.