A comparison of neuro-endoscopic techniques with other surgical procedures in the treatment of arachnoid cysts in children

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of neuroendoscopic techniques (in comparison with other surgical procedures) in the treatment for arachnoid cysts in children. The analysis was performed on results of treatment 22 children with arachnoid cysts submitted to neuroendoscopic procedures. The group consisted of 6 girls and 16 boys, aged from 1 day to 18 years (mean age 5.3 years, SD +/- 5.6). The control group treated with other, non-endoscopic surgical procedures consisted of 61 patients (20 girls and 41 boys aged from 10 days to 17 years, mean age 7 years, SD +/- 6). Criteria of success varied according to the type of surgical treatment. In the case of procedures other than shunt implantation, the treatment was regarded as effective, if there was no need to change the surgical method, while shunt implantation was considered effective, if shunt revision was not necessary. The operative treatment outcome was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Post-treatment changes in the clinical state were graded as improvement, no change, or deterioration. In terms of the assumed criteria of success in the treatment for arachnoid cysts, neuroendoscopic procedures and microsurgical cyst excisions were among the most effective methods. As many as 90.9% of neuroendoscopically treated children needed no other operation, in comparison with 92.6% of patients submitted to microsurgical procedures, who needed no change in the operative treatment. In the group of neuroendoscopically treated patients the effectiveness of neuroendoscopic operations varied according to the type of procedure used. Cystocysternostomies or cystoventriculostomies were successful in 100%. The analysis of clinical outcome has shown that deterioration was observed only in 13% of the patients with shunt implantation. Analyzing each type of arachnoid cyst separately, a statistically significant relationship was found between improvement of the clinical state and the use of craniotomy in the surgical treatment for cysts localized in the posterior fossa. Improvement in the case of neuroendoscopically treated children was related to a larger reduction in the cyst size after surgery and to a lower intensity of intraoperative bleeding. Neuroendoscopic techniques allowed to reduce the average period of hospitalization. Neuroendoscopic cystocysternostomy and cystoventriculostomy were the most effective techniques, besides microsurgical excision of arachnoid cysts. Neuroendoscopic treatment efficacy depends on the type of procedure used. The application of neuroendoscopic techniques allows to reduce the period of hospitalization.     

儿童颞部蛛网膜囊肿的手术治疗

目的探讨儿童颞部蛛网膜囊肿的手术方法。方法回顾性分析手术治疗儿童颞部蛛网膜囊肿68例患者的临床资料,56例行显微镜下囊壁切除+脑池交通术,7例行囊肿-腹腔分流术,5例行内镜下囊壁切除+脑池交通术。结果术后随访6个月到3年,28例影像学复查显示:13例囊肿完全消失,46例囊肿体积较术前有不同程度缩小,无明显变化的有9例。结论显微镜下囊壁切除+脑池交通术对儿童颅内蛛网膜囊肿有着良好的治疗效果,可以作为首选的手术方式。     

Success of pure neuroendoscopic technique in the treatment of Sylvian arachnoid cysts in children

Introduction  

Neuroendoscopic approaches to Sylvian arachnoid cysts (SACs) constitute an alternative treatment option to craniotomy for fenestration and shunting procedures. In this study, the authors discuss their experience on pure neuroendoscopic technique in the treatment of SACs in children.     

Shunt-independent surgical treatment of middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts in children

The best operative intervention for children with arachnoid cysts remains the subject of controversy. Recent reports stress that craniotomy for cyst fenestration is associated with a low incidence of morbidity and mortality and may leave the child shunt-independent. Among a total of 66 intracranial arachnoid cysts operated on in the authors’ department from 1985 to 1997, 44 cases (67%) were located in the middle cranial fossa. A higher incidence in the first decade of life (53 cases) and a marked male predominance (45 cases) were recognized. Headache, cranial deformities, symptoms of raised intracranial pressure, and seizures constituted the most frequent features of the clinical presentation. To determine which treatment provides the greatest benefit with the lowest incidence of complications, the records of the 44 patients with arachnoid cysts in the middle cranial fossa were reviewed. The mean age of these patients was 4.6 years (range 0–16 years). Different types of initial surgical procedures were performed. In 33 patients with middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts (MCFAC) the initial surgery took the form of craniotomy with excision of the cyst walls and fenestration into the basal cisterns. Shunting procedures were performed in 9 patients: cysto-peritoneal shunts (CPS) were placed in 4 patients and ventriculo-peritoneal shunts (VPS), in 3 patients, and cyst excision was performed in addition to CPS in 2 patients. Excision of the cyst membrane alone without fenestration was performed in 2 patients. The initial treatment was successful in terms of reduced symptoms and decreased cyst size, with no additional treatment needed for the cyst, in 79% (26/33) of patients who had undergone excision of the cyst walls and fenestration into the basal cisterns, compared with 66% (6/9) of patients who had undergone shunting procedures. Cyst membrane excision was not successful in any of the patients who underwent this procedure alone. No significant difference in morbidity was noted between these different treatment options. On follow-up CT scan and MRI, cysts of types I and II (Galassi classification) exhibited a steady tendency to reduction or obliteration. These results confirm that radical excision of the outer and inner membranes of the cyst wall with fenestration into the basal cistern is a safe and effective shunt-independent procedure for MCFAC, especially for those of types I and II. Received: 28 May 1999 Revised: 10 August 1999     

Tratamiento neuroendoscópico de quistes aracnoideos en edad pediátrica. Resultados de una serie de 20 pacientes

IntroductionNeuroendoscopy has become an effective and safe treatment for arachnoid cysts in the paediatric population. We review the paediatric patients with arachnoid cysts treated by neuroendoscopy in our hospital and analyse the results.Material and methodsA retrospective analysis of 20 patients operated on from 2005 to 2018. The variables assessed are: gender, age, clinical presentation, cyst site, presence of hydrocephalus and/or extra-axial collections, endoscopic procedures and complications. Procedure success is defined as an improvement in symptoms and reduction in cyst size until end of follow-up.ResultsOur series comprised 13 males and 7 females (mean age: 64.6 months, range: 4–172 months). The most frequent site was suprasellar-prepontine (7), followed by intraventricular (6), quadrigeminal (3), interhemispheric (2) and Sylvian (2).A total of 70% (14/20) of patients had hydrocephalus at diagnosis, which increased to 85% in suprasellar-prepontine cysts and 100% in quadrigeminal cysts. Only 4/14 patients with required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (median age at diagnosis: 12.5 months). Of these 4 patients, 3 developed severe shunt overdrainage.The procedure was successful in 60% (12/20) of the patients in the series. Success by location was 57% (4/7) in suprasellar cysts, 33% (1/3) in quadrigeminal cysts, 66% (4/6) in intraventricular cysts, 100% (2/2) in interhemispheric cysts and 50% (1/2) in Sylvian cysts. Treatment thus failed in 8 cases, with a mean time to failure of 12.12 months (range: 0-45 months). A new neuroendoscopic procedure was performed in 4 of these 8 cases (success in 2/4), a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed in 2 cases, a cystoperitoneal shunt was placed in 1 case and the remaining case was managed conservatively. Mean follow-up time was 52.45 months (range: 3-129 months).ConclusionsNeuroendoscopy is an effective and safe treatment for arachnoid cysts in paediatric patients that also enables managing associated hydrocephalus in most cases. The choice of neuroendoscopic procedure and success rate depend on cyst location. Younger patients have been found to have a higher shunt dependency rate. In these cases, measures to prevent shunt overdrainage are recommended.     

Effectiveness of neuroendoscopic procedures in the treatment of complex compartmentalized hydrocephalus in children

OBJECTIVE: The main object of the work is to assess the suitability of neuroendoscopic techniques for the treatment of complex compartmentalized hydrocephalus. METHODS: For this purpose the authors compared two groups of children treated in the Research Institute of the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital from March 1997 to January 2002. The first group of 47 children, treated using neuroendoscopic procedures, was compared with the second, which comprised 80 children treated conventionally by complicated shunt implantations. RESULTS: The children treated neuroendoscopically needed on average 1.7660 procedures during the entire therapy, and 1.0232 operations a year. The same parameters in the conventionally-treated group were as follows: the total number of procedures was 7.050, and the rate of reoperation was 3.949 procedures a year. The proportion of patients who suffered from complications connected with operative treatment and who had a bad outcome was higher in the conventionally-treated group than in the neuroendoscopic one.     

Endoscopic management of quadrigeminal arachnoid cysts

Objective  Quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cysts are rare lesions, accounting for 5% to 10% of all intracranial arachnoid cysts and 9% of all supratentorial localizations. We reviewed the patients with quadrigeminal arachnoid cyst (QAC) who were treated with neuroendoscopic intervention. Materials and methods  Seventeen patients with QAC had been operated on between 2000 and 2007 in our institution. Four patients had undergone shunting prior to neuroendoscopic surgery. There were nine girls and seven boys with age ranging from 7 days to 17 years (mean, 40 months). All patients had hydrocephalus. A wide ventriculocystostomy (VC) and endoscopic third ventriculostomy were performed by using rigid neuroendoscopes. An aqueductal stent was also placed in two of the patients. Psychometric evaluation was administered postoperatively when possible. Follow-up of the patients ranged from 6 to 96 months (mean, 51.8 months). Results  Of the 17 patients, 12 underwent endoscopic procedure as the primary surgery. Five patients had been previously shunted. Macrocrania and psychomotor retardation were the main symptom and sign in all infants with QAC. Older children presented with the symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension. Of the eight patients who were 6 months old or younger, only one did not need a ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt. Endoscopic procedures were successful in all patients older than 6 months of age (P = 0.005). Conclusion  The patients presenting in their infancy had a psychomotor retardation, and all patients except for one, younger than 6 months of age, needed a VP shunt. Neuroendoscopic procedure is effective particularly in the patients with QAC older than 6 months of age. Presented in part at the 34th Annual Meeting of International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 10–14 September 2006, Taipei, Taiwan.     

Endoscopic management of intra and paraventricular CSF cysts

Background The management of intra- and paraventricular lesions is one of the fields in which modern neuroendoscopic techniques have given the most significant contribution in terms of reduction in operative invasiveness and postoperative complications. In this context, fluid cysts represent an ideal ground on which results obtained with traditional surgical procedures (open surgery, shunting) have more and more to compare with the increasing number of encouraging results obtained by neuroendoscopy. Objective The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the results of the endoscopic treatment of intra- and paraventricular cysts performed at our institution and how they compare with what has been reported in the literature, concerning the results of open surgery, shunting, and endoscopic management. Materials and methods All the patients with intra- and paraventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cysts endoscopically managed at our institution between March 2000 and October 2006 were included. Based on cyst location documented by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the cohort of patients examined was subdivided in five groups: A, paraventricular cysts; B, choroids plexuses cysts; C, secondary intraventricular cysts in previously hydrocephalus shunted patients; D, quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cysts; and E, suprasellar arachnoid cysts. The neuroendoscopic procedures were performed with a 30° rigid endoscope (Storz Decq, 3.8 mm). The surgical plan and best trajectory were selected on preoperative MR imaging. Postoperatively, all patients underwent CT scans in the first 48 h after surgery and MR control 3 months after surgery. Results There were 26 patients (18 M/8F). The mean age at diagnosis was 8.95 years. Five of 26 cases were adult patients. Four patients had paraventricular cysts; 2 patients had a choroids plexuses cyst; 6 patients a secondary intraventricular cyst in previously shunted hydrocephalus; 11 patients had a quadrigeminal cistern arachnoid cyst and 3 patients had a suprasellar arachnoid cyst. Fifteen patients had an associated hydrocephalus at the time of the surgical treatment (one patient in group A, six patients in group C, six in group D, and two in group E). Twenty-three out of 26 patients underwent endoscopic management of their cystic lesion as primary procedure; in the remaining three cases, it represented a secondary procedure after open cyst marsupialization or/and the implant of a cystoperitoneal shunt. Endoscopic management consisted in a cystoventriculostomy (CV) in 19 patients. Third ventriculostomy (ETV) was associated to CV in seven cases, and it was performed at the same time of the CV procedure in all these cases. There was no mortality, neither operative morbidity. At a mean follow-up of 2.15 years (0.1–4 years), a complete resolution of preoperative clinical symptoms and signs was recorded in 80.9% of symptomatic patients. Control MRI showed a reduced cyst size in 25/26 patients and a stable cyst size in the last case, with signs of CSF flow between the cyst and the cerebral ventricles in all cases. One out of 15 patients with associated hydrocephalus had a persistent ventriculomegaly without signs of increased intracranial pressure. Conclusions Our results confirm that endoscopic management of intra- and paraventricular cysts is a valid alternative to open surgery as well as to shunting procedures. Control of clinical symptoms and signs was obtained in around 80% of our patients, while radiological evidence of cyst size reduction occurred in more than 95% of them. These rates are comparable with results of open surgery and shunting. The main advantage of neuroendoscopy is the low incidence of complications, a result that is confirmed by the present series. Presented at the Third World Conference of the International Study Group on Neuroendoscopy (ISGNE), Marburg, Germany, 15–18 June 2005.     

神经内镜治疗颅内蛛网膜囊肿108例临床分析

目的 探讨神经内镜治疗颅内蛛网膜囊肿的效果,为蛛网膜囊肿的治疗提供参考.方法 回顾性分析1998年5月至2010年5月使用神经内镜治疗的108例颅内蛛网膜囊肿患者的临床资料,总结并分析手术适应证的把握及手术效果.结果 108例均成功行造瘘术.短期内症状好转68例(63%,68/108),其中头痛、恶心及呕吐症状缓解40例(95%,40/42);年龄小于12岁74例中症状好转48例(65%,48/74),其余34例中症状好转20例(59%,20/34).术后1周影像学结果示术前合并脑积水16例均明显缓解.手术并发症包括发热、硬膜下积液、皮下积液、动眼神经麻痹、颅内感染,除1例死于术后颅内感染外,其余经处理后治愈出院.94例随访3月,影像学检查示蛛网膜囊肿消失或缩小61例(64.9%,61/94),无变化33例(35.1%,33/94);临床症状较术前改善54例(57.4%,54/94),其中癫痫好转8例(44.4%,8/18);86例术后随访半年,影像学检查示蛛网膜囊肿造瘘术无效46例(53.5%,46/86).结论 神经内镜治疗颅内蛛网膜囊肿长期有效率不高,需严格把握手术适应证.     

应用神经内镜治疗中颅窝蛛网膜囊肿

目的:探讨神经内镜治疗中颅窝蛛网膜囊肿的有效性、安全性,为该类疾病的治疗提供新的方法和依据。方法:根据影像学的分型,采用神经内镜对16例中颅窝蛛网膜囊肿进行囊肿壁部分切除及造瘘术。结果:11例行囊肿壁大部切除及邻近脑池造瘘;5例行囊壁部分切除及邻近脑池造瘘。术后除1例出现动眼神经麻痹,1例出现硬膜下积液,2例发热外,大部分病例症状改善明显。结论:应用神经内镜治疗中颅窝蛛网膜囊肿手术创伤小,并发症少,疗效好。     

Operative management of idiopathic spinal intradural arachnoid cysts in children: a systematic review

Background

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts are rare with only a few patients reported so far. Idiopathic, traumatic, posthemorrhagic, and postinflammatory causes have been reported in the literature. Especially, idiopathic lesions, in which other possible etiological factors have been ruled out, seem to be rare.

Patients and Methods

We systematically reviewed the literature in regards to localization within the spinal canal, treatment options, complications, and outcome. Additionally, we present management strategies in two progressively symptomatic children less than 3 years of age with idiopathic intradural arachnoid cysts.

Results

In total, 21 pediatric cases including the presented cases have been analyzed. Anterior idiopathic spinal arachnoid cysts are predominantly located in the cervical spine in 87.5 % of all cases, whereas posterior cysts can be found at thoracic and thoracolumbar segments in 84.6 % of the patients. Most children presented with motor deficits (76.2 %). Twenty-five percent of anterior spinal arachnoid cysts caused back pain as the only presenting symptom. Open fenestration by a dorsal approach has been used in the vast majority of cases. No major surgical complications have been reported. Ninety-four percent of all patients did improve or showed no neurological deficits. Recurrence rate after successful surgical treatment was low (9.5 %).

Conclusion

Idiopathic spinal intradural arachnoid cysts can present with neurological deficits in children. Pathologies are predominantly located in the cervical spine anteriorly and in thoracic and thoracolumbar segments posteriorly to the spinal cord. In symptomatic cases, microsurgical excision and cyst wall fenestration via laminotomy are recommended. Our radiological, intraoperative, and pathological findings support the cerebrospinal fluid obstruction and vent mechanism theory of arachnoid cysts.     

Complications following endoscopic intracranial procedures in children

Background The significant technological improvement of endoscopic instrumentation has allowed, in the last 10 years, a widespread diffusion of neuroendoscopic procedures. Nevertheless, severe, sometimes life-threatening, complications may occur during neuroendoscopic surgery, and the incidence and age specificity of complications in children have been underdescribed so far. Materials and methods Complications recorded in a prospectively collected database of pediatric patients undergoing neuroendoscopic procedures were analysed; the medical histories of the patients and the surgical procedures were reviewed. Results Complications occurred in 32 out of 231 (13.8%) procedures performed for the management of obstructive hydrocephalus (137), multiloculated hydrocephalus (53), arachnoid cysts (29) and intraventricular tumors (12). Subdural hygroma occurred in 11 cases, seven requiring subdural shunting. In one of these cases, infection of the subdural space occurred and required a craniotomy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection occurred in 11 cases. In one case, a frontal abscess developed and was managed with craniotomy. CSF leak occurred in nine cases, intraventricular haemorrhages in two, technical failures in seven, subcutaneous CSF collection (managed with lumbo-peritoneal shunt) in one, thalamic contusion and post-operative transient akinetic mutism in one. This patient suddenly died 6 months later, probably as a consequence of closure of the stoma. Two patients developed secondary compartmentalisation of the ventricles after complicated endoscopic third ventriculostomy. In nine cases, these complications were associated. Overall, no patient died after the procedure (operative mortality 0), one patient died 6 months after the procedure for unexplained events (sudden death rate 0.4%), and three patients presented permanent disability as a consequence of surgical complication (permanent morbidity 1.3%). Conclusions Complication rate of neuro-endoscopic procedures is not negligible even in experienced hands. The majority are minor complications which do not affect the final outcome, but sporadically major events may occur, leading to significant problems in surgical management and, occasionally, to permanent disabilities. Careful selection of patients on pre-operative imaging studies and intensive training of surgeons are mandatory to improve results. Presented at the Third World Conference of the International Study Group on Neuroendoscopy (ISGNE), Marburg, Germany, 15–18 June 2005.     

Influence of neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy on the size of ventricles in chronic hydrocephalus

Our intention was to compare the clinical outcome after surgical treatment of chronic hydrocephalus between patients who were subjected to neuroendoscopic third ventriculostomy and patients who underwent shunt implantation. At the Department of Neurosurgery of the Research Institute of Polish Mothers' Memorial Hospital from 1999 to 2001, 29 children, of an average age of 7 years (+/-7.1 years SD), underwent successful neuroendoscopic procedures, and from 1992 to 1994, 59 children, of an average age of 2 months (+/-1.9 months SD), underwent shunt implantation. The size of the ventricular system was described by the Frontal Horn Index and its change after operative procedures by the ratio of the final to the primary Frontal Horn Index. Head circumference was measured in percentiles according to the Kurniewicz-Witczakowa chart for Polish children. The reduction in head circumference after a neuroendoscopic procedure was, on average, significantly less than after a shunt implantation (0.39 percentiles +/-29.6 SD vs 17.93 percentiles +/-19.93 SD). Concerning the change in ventricular size after a neuroendoscopic procedure, it was noticed that the average ratio of the final to the primary Frontal Horn Index was 0.9. Meanwhile, the same parameter after a shunt implantation was 0.55. Based on the values of the Frontal Horn Indexes, it was observed that the ventricular system in infants after neuroendoscopic procedures was significantly larger than in other age groups (0.7 vs 0.5). After successful neuroendoscopic operations in a group of children suffering from Chiari II malformation, ventricular systems were slightly enlarged. The ratio of the final Frontal Index to the primary Frontal Horn Index was 1.31. In children suffering from chronic hydrocephalus, the average reduction in the size of the ventricular system and the rate of head circumference growth are lower after neuroendoscopic operations than after shunt implantations. Successful neuroendoscopic procedures are characterized by, on average, a higher rate of head circumference growth in infants than in neonates. In addition, the rate of head circumference growth after successful neuroendoscopic procedures could be higher than before the operation, which is clearly visible in children suffering from Chiari II malformation, but it does not mean a constant increase of that parameter during the postoperative period.     

Fenestration methods for Sylvian arachnoid cysts—endoscopy or microsurgery

Introduction  

Two different approaches to fenestration, endoscopic and microsurgical, are in use for Sylvian arachnoid cysts (SACs), the most frequent among intracranial arachnoid cysts. We presented the clinical data and compared our results, with regard to technique and clinical success, with either microsurgical or neuroendoscopic fenestration of SACs.     

神经内镜手术治疗颅内蛛网膜囊肿

目的 探讨神经内镜手术治疗颅内蛛网膜囊肿的手术指征、手术方法和预后。方法 回顾性分析26例采用神经内镜手术治疗的颅内蛛网膜囊肿，其中采用神经内镜下囊肿脑池造瘘和囊壁部分剥除18例，囊肿次全切除3例，囊肿脑室造瘘5例(1例尚行脑室腹腔分流术)。术后随访3个月-2年。结果 术前有症状的20例患者中，症状消失11例，改善7例，无变化2例，术后不能改善的症状主要是癫痫。有随访影像学复查结果的16例患者中，囊肿消失6例，缩小7例，无变化3例。结论 神经内镜手术是治疗颅内蛛网膜囊肿有效和微创的方法。     

Endoscopic neurosurgery in preterm and term newborn infants—a feasibility report

Objective

Neuroendoscopic procedures became essential in neurosurgical treatment of disturbed cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. While a vast number of papers report on the neuroendoscopic experience for adults and children, no series so far reported on techniques and indications for neonate infants. We present our experience for the feasibility of neuroendoscopic procedures in preterm and term newborn infants.

Methods

All preterm and term infants who underwent an endoscopic neurosurgical intervention prior to the 28th day after the previously estimated date of delivery were identified by retrospective review. Surgical procedures and techniques, complications, and further follow-up data are reported.

Results

During the study period, 14 infants (median age at surgery, 36+²/7 weeks of gestation) underwent 20 endoscopic procedures. The performed procedures included endoscopic septostomy (n?=?3), endoscopic shunt placement for multiloculated hydrocephalus (n?=?4), endoscopic transaqueductal stenting for isolated fourth ventricle (n?=?3), and endoscopic lavage for ventriculitis (n?=?4) or for intraventricular hemorrhage (n?=?6). No severe complications were seen, while two patients necessitating unexpected interventions during further follow-up (10 %).

Conclusions

Despite the fragility of preterm and term newborn infants, neuroendoscopic procedures may play an important role in the treatment of disturbed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics also in this patient population. The neuroendoscopic approach may be curative in conditions like isolated lateral ventricle, may facilitate simplified and effective CSF diversion in multiloculated hydrocephalus or isolated fourth ventricle, and may be beneficial in the course of ventriculitis and intraventricular hemorrhage. Further studies must verify our experience with a bigger cohort of patients and on a multicenter basis.     

The clinical classification and treatment of middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts in children

Objective

The optimal management for middle fossa arachnoid cysts (MFAC) remains controversial, but cystocistern fenestration is effective. MFACs are divided into non-communicating arachnoid cysts (NCIAC) and communicating arachnoid cysts (CIAC). This retrospective observational study evaluated the role of phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) in the diagnosis and postoperative evaluation of MFACs and assessed surgical outcomes.

Methods

Twenty-eight children with MFAC that were diagnosed by conventional neuroradiology were enrolled. PC-MRI was performed preoperatively. The clinical manifestations, cyst volumes and PC-MRI data were analyzed, and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the fistula was qualitatively evaluated.

Results

No communication with the adjacent subarachnoid space was found on preoperative PC-MRI in 20 patients, and they were diagnosed with NCIAC. A statistically significant decrease in cyst volume was observed in all 20 patients postoperatively. Symptoms resolved or improved in the 14 patients who were symptomatic preoperatively, and a positive CSF flow was found in all 20 patients postoperatively. PC-MRI diagnosed eight patients with CIAC, and the cyst sizes did not increase during follow-up.

Conclusions

Cystocistern fenestration is an effective treatment for children with lateral fissure IAC. PC-MRI can be used to determine the IAC type and to evaluate the effectiveness of cystocistern fenestration.     

Neuroendoscopic surgery of intracranial cysts in adults

OBJECTS: The purpose of this study was to describe the indications, surgical techniques and postoperative outcome of neuroendoscopic interventions in a heterogeneous group of intracranial cystic pathologies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 2003, 127 patients with symptomatic intracranial cysts and cystic tumours underwent neuroendoscopic treatment in our department. In 22 patients indication for surgery was colloid cysts, in 9 patients pineal cysts and in 3 patients cavum vergae cysts. Twelve arachnoid cysts, 10 cystic craniopharyngiomas, 2 Rathke's cleft cysts and 69 malignant cystic tumours were operated on. The patients' mean age was 45 years and their clinical presentations varied from typical signs of increased intracranial pressure to focal neurological deficits. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with intracerebral cystic space-occupying lesions were operated on using stereotactic frameless or frame-based endoscopic techniques. There was no operative mortality. The operative morbidity was 3.1% including 1 memory deficit due to fornix injury, 1 hemiparesis due to postoperative haematoma after lesion biopsy, 1 aseptic meningitis and 1 subdural fluid collection. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic interventions enable neurosurgeons to manage intracranial cystic lesions. Via the same approach, the obstructed CSF pathways may be restored and consequently the increased intracranial pressure diminishes. With the aid of stereotactic guidance or a neuronavigation system, access to the lesion can be gained rapidly and with high accuracy.     

CT脑池造影在颅内蛛网膜囊肿诊断及治疗中的应用

目的 探讨CT脑池造影(CTC)在颅内蛛网膜囊肿(IAC)诊断及治疗中的应用价值.方法 南方医科大学南方医院神经外科自2006年10月至2009年10月共收治23例IAC患者.其中非交通性蛛网膜囊肿(NCtAC)患者采用神经内镜造瘘并部分囊壁切除手术治疗,交通性蛛网膜囊肿(CIAC)患者采用保守治疗,通过患者手术前后CT、MRI及CT脑池造影(CTC)检查,分析CTC在鉴别诊断CIAC和NCIAC、评价手术治疗NCIAC的效果中的作用. 结果 CTC证实本组患者中17例为NCIAC即真性囊肿,6例为CIAC即假性囊肿;随访术后NCIAC患者CT或MRI检查显示1例囊肿消失,13例囊肿有不同程度缩小,3例无明显变化.随机抽取8例NCIAC患者行CTC检查显示囊肿与脑池沟通良好. 结论 CTC对颅内囊性病变的诊断,尤其是对CIAC和NCIAC的鉴别诊断中的作用尤为重要,CTC检查为颅内囊性病变是否手术治疗提供明确指征,并且术后CTC检查可初步评价囊肿手术效果.     

神经导航辅助内镜治疗侧脑室蛛网膜囊肿

目的运用神经导航辅助内镜技术手术治疗侧脑室蛛网膜囊肿，探讨两者结合应用对开展神经内镜技术治疗脑室深部病变的意义。方法对10例蛛网膜囊肿病人运用神经导航制定手术计划，设计理想的手术切口和入路，实时、动态地监测内镜的操作轨迹。结果本组均获得良好的治疗效果，内镜下行蛛网膜囊肿开窗术6例；切除术4例，其中次全切除3例，部分切除1例。无出血、感染及神经功能缺失等并发症。结论内镜手术治疗侧脑室内蛛网膜囊肿具有创伤小、疗效好等优点，结合神经导航技术，可以弥补病理情况下脑室内局部解剖变异影响内镜操作定位困难的缺陷，使脑室内复杂手术的精确性更高、更有效和安全。