Death after Late Failure of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: A Potential Solution

Neurosurgery ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 384-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Mobbs ◽  
Marianne Vonau ◽  
Mark A. Davies

Abstract OBJECTIVE Late failure after successful third ventriculostomy is rare, and death caused by failure of a previously successful third ventriculostomy has been reported on four occasions. We describe a simple innovation that adds little morbidity and has the potential to reduce the advent of death after late failure of endoscopic third ventriculostomy. METHODS After endoscopic fenestration of the floor of the third ventricle, a ventricular catheter and subcutaneous reservoir are placed via the endoscope path. With acute blockage and neurological deterioration, cerebrospinal fluid can be removed via needle puncture of the reservoir until consultation with a neurosurgeon. RESULTS From 1979 to 2003, more than 240 endoscopic third ventriculostomies have been performed at our institution, with one death after late failure. The revised technique was devised after this death and has been performed on 21 patients to date. CONCLUSION The addition of a reservoir adds little time and morbidity to the procedure and offers the potential to sample cerebrospinal fluid, measure intracranial pressure, and reduce mortality associated with late failure of endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zamzuri Idris ◽  
Jason Raj Johnson ◽  
Jafri Malin Abdullah

The splenial-habenular junctional area is an alternative site for neuroendoscopic fenestration to divert CSF flow into the quadrigeminal cistern in cases in which endoscopic third ventriculostomy is not amenable. In some patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, the splenium of the corpus callosum can be elevated from the habenular complex. This exposes the membranous connection between the splenium and habenula, which can be fenestrated to divert the CSF flow into the quadrigeminal cistern. This technique can be performed in patients in whom the foramen of Monro or the third ventricle is blocked by a lesion. Here, the authors present 3 complex cases that were managed by neuronavigation-guided transventricular transcavum endoscopic fenestration of the splenial-habenular junctional area. These cases may increase the knowledge and understanding of the anatomy of this region.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. V15
Author(s):  
Jiuhong Li ◽  
Jiaojiang He ◽  
Lunxin Liu ◽  
Liangxue Zhou

A 57-year-old female presented with headache and dizziness for 3 months. Preoperative MRI revealed a lesion located at the pineal region and back side of the third ventricle, accompanied by hydrocephalus. The infratentorial supracerebellar approach may cause visuomotor, acousticomotor, and hearing disturbances. With the patient in a supine position, the authors used a frontal linear incision that was 3 cm anterior to the coronal suture and 2 cm away from the midline and an anterior endoscopic transcortical approach, which could achieve endoscopic third ventriculostomy, alleviating and preventing hydrocephalus due to postoperative adhesion and resection of the lesion at the same time. The pathological diagnosis was cavernous hemangioma. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.4.FOCVID215.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
Eyas M. Hattab ◽  
Marios Loukas ◽  
Joshua J. Chern ◽  
Melissa Wellons ◽  
...  

Object Endocrine dysfunction following endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is rare, but it has been reported. In the present study the authors sought to determine the histological nature of the floor of the third ventricle in hydrocephalic brains to better elucidate this potential association. Methods Five adult cadaveric brains with hydrocephalus were examined. Specifically, the floors of the third ventricle of these specimens were studied histologically. Age-matched controls without hydrocephalus were used for comparison. Results Although it was thinned in the hydrocephalic brains, the floor of the third ventricle had no significant difference between the numbers of neuronal cell bodies versus nonhydrocephalic brains. Conclusions Although uncommon following ETV, endocrine dysfunction has been reported. Based on the present study, this is most likely to be due to the injury of normal neuronal cell bodies found in this location, even in very thinned-out tissue.


2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávio Nigri ◽  
Carlos Telles ◽  
Marcus André Acioly

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been established as an effective method in the treatment of tumoral obstructive hydrocephalus. Delayed closure of the ETV stoma has been attributed to scarring involving the third ventricular floor. Secondary obstruction of the stoma due to intraventricular tumor seeding is an extremely rare condition, with only one case described to date. The authors report on a unique case of late closure of the ETV stoma caused by metastatic seeding of a recurrent medulloblastoma 9 years after the initial treatment. The patient was submitted to a second endoscopic procedure in which a reddish mass located just at the third ventricular floor was resected, leading to reopening of the previous ETV stoma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this case is the first report of an ETV obstruction due to metastatic CSF seeding of a medulloblastoma. In such cases of late failure of the ETV stoma because of tumor obstruction, a second ETV can be safely performed and lead to adequate function of the stoma, even if limited by the aggressive nature of the disease.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Decq ◽  
Caroline Le Guerinel ◽  
Stéphane Palfi ◽  
Michel Djindjian ◽  
Yves Kéravel ◽  
...  

✓ Since its description by Dandy in 1922, several techniques have been used to perform third ventriculostomy under endoscopic control. Except for the blunt technique, in which the endoscope is used by itself to create the opening in the floor of the third ventricle, the other techniques require more than one instrument to perforate the floor of the ventricle and enlarge the ventriculostomy. The new device described is a sterilizable modified forceps that allows both the opening of the floor and the enlargement of the ventriculostomy in a simple and effective way.The new device has the following characteristics: 1) the tip of the forceps is thin enough to allow the easy perforation of the floor of the ventricle; 2) the inner surface of the jaws is smooth to avoid catching vessels of the basal cistern; and 3) the outer surface of the jaws has indentations that catch the edges of the opening to prevent them from slipping along the instrument's jaws. The ventricle floor is opened by gentle pressure of the forceps, which is slowly opened so that the edges of the aperture are caught by the distal outer indentation of the jaws, leading to an approximately 4-mm opening of the floor. This device has been used successfully in 10 consecutive patients.This new device allows surgeons to perform third ventriculostomy under endoscopic control in a very simple, quick, and effective way, avoiding the need for additional single-use instruments.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark M. Souweidane ◽  
Caitlin E. Hoffman ◽  
Theodore H. Schwartz

Object Intraventricular anatomy has been detailed as it pertains to endoscopic surgery within the third ventricle, particularly for performing endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and endoscopic colloid cyst resection. The expanding role of endoscopic surgery warrants a careful appraisal of these techniques as they relate to frequent anatomical variants. Given the common occurrence of cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and cavum vergae (CV), the endoscopic surgeon should be familiar with that particular anatomy especially as it pertains to surgery within the third ventricle. Methods From a prospective database of endoscopic surgical cases were selected those cases in which the defined pathology necessitated surgery within the third ventricle and there was coexistent CSP and CV. Pertinent radiographic studies, operative notes, and archived video files were reviewed to define the relevant anatomy. Features of the intracavitary anatomy were assessed regarding their importance in approaching the third ventricle. Results Four cases involving endoscopic surgery within the third ventricle (2 colloid cyst resections and 2 ETVs) were identified in which the surgical objective was accomplished through a septal cavum. In each case the width of the body of the lateral ventricle was reduced and the foramen of Monro was obscured. Because of the ventricular distortion, a stereotactic transcavum route was used for approaching the third ventricle. Entry into the third ventricle was accomplished through an interforniceal fenestration immediately behind the anterior commissure. The surgical goal was met in each case without any neurological change or postoperative morbidity. During the follow-up period, there has been no recurrence of a colloid cyst and no need of a secondary cerebrospinal fluid diversionary procedure. Conclusions In the presence of a CSP and CV, endoscopic navigation into the third ventricle can be problematic via a transforaminal approach. Alternatively, a transcavum interforniceal route for endoscopic surgery in the third ventricle is suggested, with the rostral lamina and the anterior commissure as important anatomical landmarks. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and endoscopic colloid cyst resection performed via a transcavum interforniceal route in patients with a coexistent septal cavum is a feasible and safe option.


2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. ons67-ons73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothee Wachter ◽  
Timo Behm ◽  
Kajetan von Eckardstein ◽  
Veit Rohde

Abstract BACKGROUND: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become a well-established method for the treatment of noncommunicating hydrocephalus with a high success rate and a relatively low morbidity rate. However, vessel injury has been repeatedly reported, often with a fatal outcome. Vessel injury is considered to be the most threatening complication. The use of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography has become an established tool in vascular microneurosurgery. OBJECTIVE: We report our initial experience with endoscopic ICG angiography in ETV for intraoperative visualization of the basilar artery and its perforators to reduce the risk of vascular injury. METHODS: Eleven patients with noncommunicating hydrocephalus underwent ETV. Before opening of the third ventricular floor, ICG angiography was performed using a prototype neuroendoscope for intraoperative visualization of ICG fluorescence. RESULTS: In 10 patients, ETV and ICG angiography were successfully performed. In 1 case, ICG angiography failed. Even in the presence of an opaque floor of the third ventricle (n = 5), ICG angiography clearly demonstrated the course of the basilar artery and its major branches and was considered useful. CONCLUSION: ICG angiography has the potential to become a useful adjunct in ETV for better visualization of vessel structures, especially in the presence of aberrant vasculature, a nontranslucent floor of the third ventricle, or in case of reoperations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 931-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Kunz ◽  
Gernot Schulte-Altedorneburg ◽  
Eberhard Uhl ◽  
Robert Schmid-Elsaesser ◽  
Karsten Schöller ◽  
...  

Object Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is the treatment of choice in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus caused by aqueductal stenosis. The authors examined the clinical course and results of surgical treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus with pre- and postoperative refined constructive interference in steady-state (CISS) MR imaging. Methods Forty patients with obstructive hydrocephalus underwent pre- and postoperative 3D-CISS imaging and clinical evaluation. Radiological findings were correlated with intraoperative observations of the thickness and transparency of the floor of the third ventricle and the patient's postoperative clinical course. Results Three-dimensional CISS MR imaging provides precise visualization of the basilar/posterior cerebral artery, its distance to the clivus, the diameter of the foramen of Monro, and the extension of and thickness of the floor of the third ventricle. In 71% of patients a flow void was detectable postoperatively on the ventriculostomy. In this group 81.5% had strong and 14.8% moderate clinical benefit, and 3.7% required secondary shunt placement. In the remaining 29% of the patients without a visible flow void, strong improvement was seen in 54.5%, moderate improvement in 18.2%, and stoma failure occurred in 27.3% (p = 0.094). Radiological measurements of the thickness of the third ventricle floor correlated with intraoperative findings (r = 0.35, p = 0.029). Comparison of outcomes showed a statistically significant tendency for a better outcome in patients with thin and easily perforated third ventricle floors (p = 0.04). Conclusions Endoscopic ventriculostomy in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus is safe and mostly successful, and 3D-CISS MR imaging seems to be a valuable diagnostic method for precisely identifying the anatomy of relevant structures. Furthermore, 3D-CISS MR imaging allows judgment of the thickness of the third ventricle floor and display of the ventriculostomy/flow void, which are predictive for intraoperative course and clinical outcome.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
George I. Jallo ◽  
Karl F. Kothbauer ◽  
I. Rick Abbott

The traditional treatment for all forms of hydrocephalus has been the implantation of ventricular shunt systems; however, these systems have inherent tendencies toward complications such as malfunction and infection. A significant advance in the treatment of hydrocephalus has been the evolution of endoscopy. The recent technological advances in this field have led to a renewed interest in endoscopic third ventriculostomy as the treatment of choice for obstructive hydrocephalus. Although several different endoscopes are available, the authors favor a rigid one to perform a blunt fenestration of the third ventricle floor. This description of the technique stresses the nuances for successful completion of this procedure.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansoor Foroughi ◽  
Andrew Wong ◽  
Paul Steinbok ◽  
Ash Singhal ◽  
Michael A. Sargent ◽  
...  

Object The criteria for identifying patients in whom endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) provides control of hydrocephalus remain in evolution. In particular, it is not clear when ETV would be effective if intraventricular obstruction is not found preoperatively. The authors postulated that 1) displacement of the third ventricle floor inferiorly into the interpeduncular cistern and displacement of the lamina terminalis anteriorly into the lamina terminalis cistern could predict clinical success of ETV, and 2) improvement in these displacements would correlate with the success of ETV. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging in 38 consecutive patients treated between 2004 and 2010 was reviewed to assess displacement of the lamina terminalis and third ventricular floor prior to and following ETV. Displacements of the floor and lamina terminalis were judged qualitatively and quantitatively, using a newly created index, the Third Ventricular Morphology Index (TVMI). The association between the aforementioned morphological features and clinical success of ETV was analyzed. Results Ninety-six percent of patients in whom the authors preoperatively observed displacement of the lamina terminalis and the third ventricular floor were successfully treated with ETV. Displacements of the third ventricular floor and lamina terminalis, as judged qualitatively, correlated with the clinical success of ETV. The TVMI correlated with the qualitative assessments of displacement. Postoperative decrease in the TVMI occurred in the majority of successfully treated patients. Changes in third ventricular morphology preceded changes in other measures of third and lateral ventricular volume following ETV. Conclusions Assessment of third ventricular floor and lamina terminalis morphology is useful in predicting clinical success of ETV and in the follow-up in treated patients. The TVMI provided a quantitative assessment of the third ventricular morphology, which may be useful in equivocal cases and in research studies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document