Transcortical or transcallosal approach to ventricle-associated lesions: a clinical study on the prognostic role of surgical approach

Most entities in and around the anterior two-thirds of the supratentorial ventricles can be reached via transcortical or transcallosal approach. This study examined the effect of surgical approach on the postoperative neurological outcome. Thirty-eight patients with intra- and periventricular supratentorial lesions were operated on by either frontal transcortical or anterior transcallosal approach. Postoperative diencephalic damage occurred in 22% of patients in the transcortical group and in 36% in the transcallosal group; transient mutism was virtually equivalent in the two groups. Postoperative epilepsy (26%) and subdural fluid collections (30%) occurred only in the transcortical group. The incidence of postoperative hemiparesis was higher in the transcallosal group. There was a high correlation between postoperative Glasgow Outcome Score of 5 and preoperative severity of neurological disease but no correlation between postoperative Glasgow Outcome Score of 5 and location of the lesion or between postoperative clinical course and surgical approach. Surgical outcome of ventricle-associated lesions depends mainly on the severity of preoperative symptoms and not on surgical approach. Additionally, the incidence of postoperative seizures and subdural fluid collections after transcortical surgery is high.