Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for chronic hydrocephalus after tuberculous meningitis

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures are indicated in patients with hydrocephalus after tuberculous meningitis (TBM). We present 2 patients with hydrocephalus after TBM who were successfully treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). METHODS: Two patients had been diagnosed with hydrocephalus after TBM and had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery for the same. They presented with multiple episodes of shunt dysfunction. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed (twice for one patient), and the patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically after the procedure. RESULTS: On long-term clinical follow-up (3 and 2 years, respectively), both patients were asymptomatic after the ETV. The first patient was radiologically evaluated 7 months after the procedure and the second patient 2 years after the procedure. The first patient showed a decrease in ventricular size. The second patient did not show any significant change in the ventricular size. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy can be considered as a safe and long-lasting solution for hydrocephalus after chronic TBM.     

Management of hydrocephalus in pediatric patients with posterior fossa tumors: the role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

OBJECT: The authors undertook a study to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the management of hydrocephalus before and after surgical intervention for posterior fossa tumors in children. METHODS: Between October 1, 1993, and December 31, 1997, a total of 206 consecutive children with posterior fossa tumors underwent surgery at H?pital Necker-Enfants Malades in Paris. Excluded were 10 patients in whom shunts had been placed at the referring hospital. The medical records and neuroimaging studies of the remaining 196 patients were reviewed and categorized into three groups: Group A, 67 patients with hydrocephalus present on admission in whom endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed prior to tumor removal; Group B, 82 patients with hydrocephalus who did not undergo preliminary third ventriculostomy but instead received conventional treatment; and Group C, 47 patients in whom no ventricular dilation was present on admission. There were no significant differences between patients in Group A or B with respect to the following variables: age at presentation, evidence of metastatic disease, extent of tumor resection, or follow-up duration. In patients in Group A, however, more severe hydrocephalus was demonstrated (p < 0.01): the patients in Group C were in this respect different from those in the other two groups. Ultimately, there were only four patients (6%) in Group A compared with 22 patients (26.8%) in Group B (p = 0.001) in whom progressive hydrocephalus required treatment following removal of the posterior fossa tumor. Sixteen patients (20%) in Group B underwent insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which is similar to the incidence reported in the literature and significantly different from that demonstrated in Group A (p < 0.016). The other six patients (7.3%) were treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy after tumor resection. In Group C, two patients (4.3%) with postoperative hydrocephalus underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy. In three patients who required placement of CSF shunts several episodes of shunt malfunction occurred that were ultimately managed by endoscopic third ventriculostomy and definitive removal of the shunt. There were no deaths; however, there were four cases of transient morbidity associated with third ventriculostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Third ventriculostomy is feasible even in the presence of posterior fossa tumors (including brainstem tumors). When performed prior to posterior fossa surgery, it significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative hydrocephalus. The procedure provides a valid alternative to placement of a permanent shunt in cases in which hydrocephalus develops following posterior fossa surgery, and it may negate the need for the shunt in cases in which the shunt malfunctions. Furthermore, in patients in whom CSF has caused spread of the tumor at presentation, third ventriculostomy allows chemotherapy to be undertaken prior to tumor excision by controlling hydrocephalus. Although the authors acknowledge that the routine application of third ventriculostomy in selected patients results in a proportion of patients undergoing an "unnecessary" procedure, they believe that because patients' postoperative courses are less complicated and because the incidence of morbidity is low and the success rate is high in those patients with severe hydrocephalus that further investigation of this protocol is warranted.     

Chronic subdural hematoma as a complication of endoscopic third ventriculostomy

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy has become a popular alternative to ventricular shunts for noncommunicating hydrocephalus. Although endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe procedure, several complications related to this procedure have been reported in the literature. The authors present a rare case of symptomatic bilateral subdural hematomas after an uneventful endoscopic third ventriculostomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51-year-old male patient presented with symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus, headaches and memory disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal stenosis. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed. The patient was discharged home in several days without complication. He then presented with headaches 3 weeks following surgery. A computed tomography study demonstrated bilateral subdural hematomas. These were treated with burr hole evacuation and drainage. Postoperatively, his headaches improved. At last follow-up he remains symptom-free and has radiographic evidence of a patent ventriculostomy. CONCLUSION: This case confirms chronic subdural hematoma formation is a possible complication following third ventriculostomy. Patients should be followed closely for possible subdural hematoma formation.     

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy

Long-term extracranial shunting for hydrocephalus has numerous drawbacks related to shunt malfunction and infection. In some cases outcome has been very disappointing. We successfully managed 5 patients with acquired aqueductal stenoses with no significant morbidity by the use of an intracranial cerebrospinal fluid diversion, namely a third ventriculostomy. First advocated by Dandy, ventriculostomy was largely passed over in favor of extracranial procedures. With improved surgical techniques, however, ventriculostomy is now considered to be a viable alternative in selected cases. In a further 19 patients, we subsequently broadened our patient selection to include those with Arnold-Chiari malformations, congenital noncommunicating hydrocephalus, and tumors. Two thirds of these children remain without shunts and apart from 1 child developing hemiplegia postoperatively, there has been no significant morbidity. Although the best results have been seen in the late onset groups, even early onset, noncommunicating hydrocephalus has been successfully managed. Even in patients in whom third ventriculostomy has failed and who have subsequently required ventriculoperitoneal shunts, we anticipate that they will remain less dependent on shunts because their hydrocephalus is now communicating, which tends not to have such a rapid onset or extreme levels of raised intracranial pressure.     

Fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage after endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Case report.

In recent years, endoscopic third ventriculostomy has become a well-established procedure for the treatment of various forms of noncommunicating hydrocephalus. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is considered to be an easy and safe procedure. Complications have rarely been reported in the literature. The authors present a case in which the patient suffered a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) after endoscopic third ventriculostomy. This 63-year-old man presented with confusion and drowsiness and was admitted in to the hospital in poor general condition. Computerized tomography scanning revealed an obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a tumor located in the cerebellopontine angle. An endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed with the aid of a Fogarty balloon catheter. Some hours postoperatively, the patient became comatose. Computerized tomography scanning revealed a severe perimesencephalic-peripontine SAH and progressive hydrocephalus. Despite emergency external ventricular drainage, the patient died a few hours later. Although endoscopic third ventriculostomy is considered to be a simple and safe procedure, one should be aware that severe and sometimes fatal complications may occur. To avoid vascular injury, perforation of the floor of the third ventricle should be performed in the midline, halfway between the infundibular recess and the mammillary bodies, just behind the dorsum sellae.     

Neuro-endoscopic surgery – experience and outcome analysis of 102 consecutive procedures in a busy neurosurgical centre of India

Summary ?Background. Neuro-endoscopic surgery is finding increasing application for various clinical conditions. We present our experience of 100 cases of diverse intracranial lesions, including infections, managed by neuro-endoscopy in a busy neurosurgical department in the developing world. Material and methods. One hundred patients treated from March 1996 to February 2002 formed the study group. Management of hydrocephalous by Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was the aim in 75 patients with or without diagnostic biopsy. Excision or resection was attempted in 25 patients with juxtaventricular or intraventricular lesions. Endoscopic procedures included total tumour resection, partial resection, biopsy, stent placement, Monroplasty, septostomy and third ventriculostomy. Outcomes of endoscopic surgery were evaluated with respect to clinical and/or radiological improvement, complications and need for additional therapy. Findings. Endoscopy was the only surgical treatment in 59 patients. Intermittent lumbar drainage for cerebrospinal fluid leak, shunt, microsurgery and/or repeat endoscopic surgery were additional treatments needed in 39 patients, who subsequently had increased hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and a higher cost of treatment. Peroperative bleeding due to distorted anatomy and obscured vision in 2 patients with post-infective loculated hydrocephalus (LH) resulted in two fatalities (2%) in the early post-operative period. Interpretation. Neuro-endoscopic surgery cuts down operative time and hospital stay, reduces cost and results in a faster turnover of the patients. It is a versatile and useful tool for a busy neurosurgical department. Published online June 4, 2003     

Death after late failure of third ventriculostomy in children. Report of three cases

Late failure following successful third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus is rare, and death caused by failure of a previously successful third ventriculostomy has been reported only once. The authors present three patients who died as a result of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) after late failure of a third ventriculostomy. Through a collaborative effort, three patients were identified who had died following third ventriculostomy at one of the authors' institutions. A 13-year-old girl with neurofibromatosis Type 1 underwent third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a tectal lesion. Three years later her condition deteriorated rapidly over the course of 6 hours and she was found dead at home. A 4-year-old boy treated with third ventriculostomy for aqueductal stenosis presented 2 years postoperatively with symptoms of increased ICP. This patient suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest while under observation and died despite external ventricular drainage. A 10-year-old boy with previous ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement underwent conversion to a third ventriculostomy and shunt removal. Eight months after the procedure his condition deteriorated. with evidence of raised ICP, and he underwent emergency insertion of another VP shunt, but remained in a vegetative state and died of complications. Neuropathological examinations in two cases demonstrated that the third ventriculostomy was not patent, and there was also evidence of increased ICP. Late failure of third ventriculostomy resulting in death is a rare complication. Delay in recognition of recurrent ICP symptoms and a false feeling of security on the part of family and caregivers because of the absence of a shunt and the belief that the hydrocephalus has been cured may contribute to fatal complications after third ventriculostomy. Patients with third ventriculostomies should be followed in a manner similar to patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunts.     

Diabetes insipidus after endoscopic third ventriculostomy. A case report and review of the literature

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy has been found to be successful for treating occlusive hydrocephalus. The complication rate ranges from 6 to 12%. Intraoperative bleeding is the most common incident. Endocrinological failures are rare, mainly due to the proximity of the hypothalamic structures. We report the case of a 33-year-old man who was referred in emergency for subacute hydrocephalus related to a tentorium meningioma. The hydrocephalus was treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy. During the procedure, the floor of the third ventricle was found to be thick but fenestration was performed without incident. After surgery, the clinical signs of hydrocephalus disappeared but diabetes insipidus was diagnosed the same day. There were no other endocrinology disorders. Medical treatment with vasopressin allowed resolution of the diabetes insipidus in fifteen days. Surgical debulking of the meningioma was then achieved via a subtemporal approach. There was no recurrence of the endocrinology disorder. Diabetes insipidus is an unpredictable complication of third ventriculostomy. The mechanism is not well known. It is however a transient disorder that can easily be treated with vasopresin and therefore should not modify the indications of third ventriculostomy, especially in tumor-related hydrocephalus.     

Successful aqueductal plasty and stenting for tectal plate tumor after failed third ventriculostomy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Tectal region tumors can lead to hydrocephalus secondary to aqueductal compression. Surgical options for these patients include extracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts, third ventriculostomy, and/or aqueductal plasty. In cases of third ventriculostomy failure, the accepted alternative is an extracranial CSF shunt. We report a patient in whom a repeat third ventriculostomy with aqueductal plasty and stenting was successful after a failed initial third ventriculostomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 12-year-old patient with hydrocephalus secondary to a tectal tumor presented with headaches and blurry vision. She had no focal neurologic findings. She underwent a third ventriculostomy. Five months after the procedure she had recurrence of her symptoms. Therefore, she underwent a secondary third ventriculostomy with aqueductal plasty and stenting. She has been symptom-free for 1 year. CONCLUSION: Aqueductal plasty with stenting may be an alternative to CSF shunts in some patients with hydrocephalus because of aqueductal compression resulting from tectal tumors.     

Initial management of hydrocephalus associated with Chiari malformation Type I-syringomyelia complex via endoscopic third ventriculostomy: an outcome analysis

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in patients with Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) and hydrocephalus with or without syringomyelia. METHODS: The authors identified, in a prospective endoscopy database, 16 adults and children (age range 2-68 years) with CM-I and hydrocephalus that had been managed with ETV. They reviewed the clinical features and radiographic findings for all patients. Fifteen patients underwent ETV as a primary treatment, whereas 1 patient underwent the procedure at the time of shunt failure. All patients had symptomatic hydrocephalus with either aqueductal or fourth ventricular outflow obstruction. The mean duration of follow-up was 42 months. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (94%) remain shunt free following ETV for CM-I. Five (83%) of the 6 patients with a syrinx had improvement or resolution of the syrinx following ETV. Six patients (37.5%) underwent foramen magnum decompression for persistent CM-I -- or syrinx-related symptoms. There was no cerebrospinal fluid leakage or intracranial pressure-related problem following foramen magnum decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy provides a durable method of treatment for hydrocephalus associated with CM-I. It is effective as a primary treatment, and the authors advocate its use as a replacement for routine ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion in these patients. Management of the hydrocephalus alone is often sufficient and may obviate decompression, although a significant proportion of patients will still need both procedures.     

Changes in ventricular size after endoscopic third ventriculostomy

Summary Background. There is general consensus that a successful endoscopic third ventriculostomy is usually followed by a decrease of ventricular size without reaching their normal size. This study was performed to determine how the change related to clinical outcome, how it developed chronologically and whether the change in ventricular size was different in acute and chronic forms of hydrocephalus. Method. Fifty-five of 74 patients who had undergone endoscopic third ventriculostomy during the period 1997–2004 were selected by the criterion that they had both pre-operative and post-operative films and no neurosurgical manoeuvre other than a surgically successful endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the time span between both radiological studies. Ventricular size was measured with the Evans index, third ventricle index, cella media index and ventricular score. Median age was 51 years (interquartile range, 27–65 years). Results. The change in ventricular size detected shortly after surgery is related to clinical outcome for all ventricular ratios, except the cella media index (p = 0.08). When third ventriculostomy is clinically successful, there is a gradual decrease of ventricular size over a period of more than three months (p < 0.0001 for all ventricular ratios). The reduction is more prominent in acute hydrocephalus than in chronic forms for all ventricular ratios, except the Evans index (p = 0.12). The third ventricle exhibits the greatest reduction (25% with a 95% confidence interval: 15.4–34.5) and determines a different pattern of change in ventricular size after endoscopic third ventriculostomy between acute and chronic hydrocephalus. Conclusions. A decrease of the ventricular size detected soon after endoscopic third ventriculostomy is associated with a satisfactory clinical outcome. This response continues during the first few months after surgery. The reduction is more prominent in acute forms of hydrocephalus. Correspondence: David Santamarta, Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital de León, Altos de Nava s/n, 24071 León, Spain.     

Stereotactic third ventriculostomy in patients with nontumoral adolescent/adult onset aqueductal stenosis and symptomatic hydrocephalus

Sixteen consecutive patients with obstructive hydrocephalus due to nontumoral aqueductal stenosis of adolescent or adult onset underwent computerized tomography-guided stereotactic third ventriculostomy. Computer-assisted angiographic target-point cross-registration was used in surgical planning to reduce morbidity. The procedure was used as primary treatment in five previously unshunted patients and in 11 patients who had previously received shunts and who presented when their shunts became obstructed (five patients), became infected (five patients), or required multiple revisions (one patient). At the time of third ventriculostomy, shunt hardware was removed in patients with infected shunts and the distal element of the shunt was ligated in all patients with obstructed shunts except one, who later required repeat third ventriculostomy; the distal shunt was ligated at that time. Follow-up data (range 1 to 5 years, mean 3 1/2 years, after surgery) showed that only one of the 16 patients had undergone a shunting procedure after the third ventriculostomy. The other 15 patients are asymptomatic and shunt-independent. In previously shunt-dependent patients, the peripheral subarachnoid space and cerebrospinal fluid absorption mechanism remained patent in spite of shunts placed earlier. Therefore, in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis of adolescent or adult onset, stereotactic third ventriculostomy should be seriously considered as primary surgical management in previously unshunted patients and in shunt-dependent patients with obstructed or infected shunts.     

The role of endoscopic biopsy and third ventriculostomy in the management of pineal region tumours

The best surgical strategy for treating patients with pineal tumours presenting with acute hydrocephalus remains undermined. During the past 17 years we have used transventricular endoscopic biopsy and third ventriculostomy as a one-step procedure in the initial management of these cases, and present the largest consecutive case series illustrating the value of this technique. We have successfully managed 34 consecutive patients with pineal region tumours, carrying out third ventriculostomy in 18 patients. Histological diagnosis was obtained in 32/34 (94%) of the cases. There were no deaths or major complications and only one patient required a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt owing to ventriculostomy failure. According to current management protocols and depending on histology, tumours were treated by a combination of resection via craniotomy followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or by the latter therapies alone. This one step procedure is minimally invasive and safely achieves adequate biopsy with control of hydrocephalus, whilst definitive histology and biochemical marker studies are obtained. Definitive treatment for each tumour is designed according to diagnosis.     

Neuroendoscopic management of pineal region tumours

Summary The management of pineal tumours remains controversial. During 1994 we treated four consecutive adults (16–44 yrs) harbouring a pineal tumour with a neuroendoscopic procedure. All of them presented with hydrocephalus. Pre-operative workup included cranial computerized tomography (CT), craniospinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and serum levels of biological tumour markers. The endoscopic procedure consisted of a third ventriculostomy followed by biopsy with a flexible, steerable neuroendoscope. Histological diagnosis was achieved in three patients who no longer required a shunt device. Recorded complications were: bleeding during ventriculostomy that prevented us from obtaining a good sample for biopsy, short-term memory loss that cleared over a twoweek period, and transient increase of pre-operative hemiparesis.Complications and morbidity are emphasized so as to be avoided with further technical experience. Neuroendoscopy affords a minimally invasive way of reaching three objectives by one-step surgery in the management of pineal region lesions: 1) CSF sample for analysis of tumour markers. 2) Treatment of hydrocephalus by third ventriculostomy. 3) Several biopsy specimens can be obtained identifying tumours which will require further open surgery or adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy.     

Intracranial germinoma associated with Down syndrome: case report and review of literature

It is well known that Down syndrome is sometimes associated with leukemia. However, there have been only a few case reports of a relationship between Down syndrome and brain tumors. The case was that of a 35-year-old man with Down syndrome complaining of gait disturbance. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass lesion in the pineal and bilateral cerebello-pontine cistern and spinal cord, marked hydrocephalus. Endoscopic biopsy and third ventriculostomy was performed. Surgical specimens showed typical germinoma. The patient was treated with a combination of chemotherapy with carboplatin and etposide, and irradiation. However he finally died 35 months after these therapies. Cases of malignant tumors other than leukemia, which are associated with Down syndrome, are extremely rare. We reviewed such rare cases of Down syndrome and intracranial germ cell tumor.     

Transcranial Doppler-Determined Pulsatility Index in the Evaluation of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (preliminary Data)

Objective . Endoscopic 3^rd ventriculostomy has become the method of choice in the management of occlusive hydrocephalus. The treatment is accompanied by significantly less peri-operative complications than the cerebrospinal fluid shunting procedures previously employed. Close surveillance of patients, however, is necessary to avoid the consequences of raised intracranial pressure that may develop in case of obstruction of the artificial outlet of the 3^rd ventricle.  The aim of this study was to confirm the value of transcranial Doppler-determined pulsatility index (pI) in the assessment of the patency of endoscopic 3^rd ventriculostomy and to elucidate its usefulness in early postoperative recognition of increased intracranial pressure.  Methods. In twenty-two patients suffering from occlusive hydrocephalus, transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) was performed before, immediately after, and five days after endoscopic fenestration of the floor of the 3^rd ventricle. PI was defined with fast Fourier transformation. Mean PI values were determined in both middle cerebral arteries (MCA), over five cardiac cycles.  Results. In nineteen cases, PI values showed a significant decrease immediately as well as five days after the intervention as compared to the pre-operative values, and flow-sensitive MRI confirmed the patency of the fenestration in all cases. In one patient the operation failed to produce an effective diversion of cerebrospinal fluid as shown by flow-sensitive MRI, and the pulsatility index was unchanged. In two patients, a significant immediate postfenestration drop in PI was followed by a recurrence of PI to pre-operative levels without any clinical deterioration.  Conclusions. Preliminary results suggest that the transcranial Doppler-determined pulsatility index is a useful non-invasive tool for the evaluation of the patency of the fenestration in the early follow-up of patients who underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy.     

Outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Results from an unselected series with noncommunicating hydrocephalus

Summary Background. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has gained acceptance as the treatment of choice for noncommunicating hydrocephalus despite a relatively high failure rate and a higher surgical risk than the placement of a shunt. The benefits of shunt independence overcome both drawbacks. This argument also serves to consider candidates for ETV patients with a poor chance of success, a fact which may to a certain degree explain failure rates higher than 20% in most unselected series of patients with noncommunicating hydrocephalus.Method. From 1997 to 2003 sixty-six patients with suspected noncommunicating hydrocephalus were treated with ETV. Male and female patients were equally distributed. It is an adult-based series (median age 53 years). The etiology of hydrocephalus was a space-occupying lesion in 39 patients (59%) and primary aqueductal stenosis in 27 (41%). Forty-seven patients presented an acute form of hydrocephalus (71%), the remainder presented a chronic form of hydrocephalus. The morbidity and outcome of the procedure were reviewed. Criteria for success was shunt independence and failure was considered when any surgical manoeuvre was further required for the treatment of hydrocephalus. The outcome was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier survival method.Findings. The probability of remaining with a functioning ETV at 5.7 years (mean follow-up period) is 71.6% (95% confidence interval: 60.5–82.8). Failure occurred in 18 patients (27.3%). If failure occurs, there is a cumulative probability of 90% (95% confidence interval: 84–97) that the failure declares itself during the first 16 days after surgery. There were transient complications in five patients (7.5%), permanent in one (1.5%) and no mortality related to the procedure.Conclusions. ETV had a 5-year success rate of 71.6% with a low rate of permanent complications. When ETV is successful, the result tends to hold up over time. Delayed failure is a rare event.     

Neuro-endoscopic management of intraventricular neurocysticercosis (NCC)

Summary Objective. Various approaches including endoscopy have been used for the treatment of intraventricular and cisternal NCC. We present our technique of Neuro-endoscopic management of intraventricular NCC. Methods. Twenty-one cases, 13 females and 8 males (age range 12–50 years; mean, 25.7 years), of intraventricular NCC [lateral (n = 6), third (n = 6), fourth (n = 10) ventricles including a patient with both lateral and third ventricular cysts] producing obstructive hydrocephalus formed the group of study. Gaab Universal Endoscope System along with 4 mm 0° and 30° rigid telescopes were used through a frontal burr-hole for removal of intraventricular including intra-fourth ventricular (n = 10) NCC. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was done for internal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Average follow up was 18 months. Results. Complete (n = 18) or partial (n = 2) removal of NCC was done in 20 patients, while a cyst located at foramen of Monro slipped and migrated to occipital or temporal horn in 1 patient. Thirty-degree 4-mm rigid telescope provided excellent image quality with ability to address even intra-fourth ventricular NCC through the dilated aqueduct using a curved tip catheter. No patient required further surgery for their hydrocephalus. There was no operative complication and post-operative ventriculitis was not seen in any case despite partial removal of NCC. Conclusion. Neuro-endoscopic surgery is an effective treatment modality for patients with intraventricular NCC. It effectively restores CSF flow and is capable of removing cysts completely or partially from accessible locations causing mass effect. Partial removal or rupture of the cyst does not affect the clinical outcome of the patients.     

Clinical features in patients requiring reoperation after failed endoscopic procedures for hydrocephalus.

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of patients at risk of secondary obstruction following endoscopic fenestration. Clinical notes and endoscopic findings for 15 patients treated with endoscopic procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was performed as initial treatment in 4 patients with non-communicating hydrocephalus, including a neonate with myelomeningocele, and as an alternative to shunt revision in 4 patients. Two patients with non-communicating hydrocephalus caused by tumor or arachnoid cyst were also managed with third ventriculostomy. Four patients with loculated hydrocephalus underwent endoscopic septostomy. A child with an isolated fourth ventricle was treated with endoscopic aqueductoplasty. Of the 15 patients undergoing endoscopic procedure, 4 required reoperation. Of the 10 patients treated with ETV, only the neonate with myelomeningocele required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt because of failure of the initial procedure. Of the 4 patients treated with endoscopic septostomy, 2 children with loculated hydrocephalus following intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) underwent a second septostomy. In a patient with an isolated fourth ventricle following posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, recurrence was noted 8 months after the initial procedure. He underwent a second procedure using a stent implanted into the aqueduct to maintain CSF circulation. Sufficient stomal size or implantation of a stent may be required in the under-2-year age group with hydrocephalus accompanied by IVH and associated with myelomeningocele, in whom the risk of secondary obstruction may be high.     

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy: anesthetic implications.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is one of the recent neurosurgical advances for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus. There has been number of publications, which have established the role of ETV in neurosurgical practice, particularly in hydrocephalus. ETV has developed into a therapeutic alternative to shunting for the management of patients with non-communicating hydrocephalus. This procedure requires a general anesthetic and necessitates violation of the brain parenchyma and manipulation via neural structures to access the floor of the third ventricle. This discussion will focus on the anesthetic implications during ETV.