scholarly journals Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for treatment of adult hydrocephalus: long-term follow-up of 163 patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert M. Isaacs ◽  
Yarema B. Bezchlibnyk ◽  
Heather Yong ◽  
Dilip Koshy ◽  
Geberth Urbaneja ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE The efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus has been extensively reported in the literature. However, ETV-related long-term outcome data are lacking for the adult hydrocephalus population. The objective of the present study was to assess the role of ETV as a primary or secondary treatment for hydrocephalus in adults. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with symptomatic hydrocephalus treated with ETV in Calgary, Canada, over a span of 20 years (1994–2014). Patients were dichotomized into a primary or secondary ETV cohort based on whether ETV was the initial treatment modality for the hydrocephalus or if other CSF diversion procedures had been previously attempted respectively. Primary outcomes were subjective patient-reported clinical improvement within 12 weeks of surgery and the need for any CSF diversion procedures after the initial ETV during the span of the study. Categorical and actuarial data analysis was done to compare the outcomes of the primary versus secondary ETV cohorts. RESULTS A total of 163 adult patients with symptomatic hydrocephalus treated with ETV were identified and followed over an average of 98.6 months (range 0.1–230.4 months). All patients presented with signs of intracranial hypertension or other neurological symptoms. The primary ETV group consisted of 112 patients, and the secondary ETV consisted of 51 patients who presented with failed ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. After the initial ETV procedure, clinical improvement was reported more frequently by patients in the primary cohort (87%) relative to those in the secondary ETV cohort (65%, p = 0.001). Additionally, patients in the primary ETV group required fewer reoperations (p < 0.001), with cumulative ETV survival time favoring this primary ETV cohort over the course of the follow-up period (p < 0.001). Fifteen patients required repeat ETV, with all but one experiencing successful relief of symptoms. Patients in the secondary ETV cohort also had a higher incidence of complications, with one occurring in 8 patients (16%) compared with 2 in the primary ETV group (2%; p = 0.010), although most complications were minor. CONCLUSIONS ETV is an effective long-term treatment for selected adult patients with hydrocephalus. The overall ETV success rate when it was the primary treatment modality for adult hydrocephalus was approximately 87%, and 99% of patients experience symptomatic improvement after 2 ETVs. Patients in whom VP shunt surgery fails prior to an ETV have a 22% relative risk of ETV failure and an almost eightfold complication rate, although mostly minor, when compared with patients who undergo a primary ETV. Most ETV failures occur within the first 7 months of surgery in patients treated with primary ETV, but the time to failure is more prolonged in patients who present with failed previous shunts.

Author(s):  
A Isaacs ◽  
G Urbaneja ◽  
H Yong ◽  
MG Hamilton

Introduction: Treatment of specific patterns of symptomatic hydrocephalus in the adult patient may be accomplished with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) as an alternative to insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. This review examines a single center experience with ETV to treat hydrocephalus in symptomatic adult patients. Methods: Adult patients (≥18 years) with a diagnosis of hydrocephalus who were treated with ETV in Calgary between January 1994 and July 2014 were reviewed using a clinic database and registry. Results: 163 patients were identified (male=92; female=71). Mean age at the time of ETV was 46.5 years (range 18-83.4 years). 118 underwent ETV as a primary treatment and 45 patients underwent treatment after presenting with VP shunt failure (secondary ETV). 113/163 patients had a diagnosis of aqueductal stenosis, 22/163 had a diagnosis of tumor. Mean followup was 8.2 years (range 0.3-18.4 years). Symptoms in 149/163 (91.4%) of ETV patients were better or unchanged at last followup. 104/118 (88.1%) of primary ETV patients were shunt free at last followup. 39/45 (86.7%) of secondary ETV patients were shunt free at last followup. Conclusion: Endoscopic (ETV) treatment is an effective long-term treatment for a select population of adult patients with hydrocephalus.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 426-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Torres-Corzo ◽  
Juan Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽  
Dominic Cervantes ◽  
Roberto Rodríguez-Della Vecchia ◽  
Fernando Muruato-Araiza ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Routinely, hydrocephalus related to fourth ventricular outlet obstruction (FVOO) has been managed with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Few reports on Magendie foraminoplasty exist, and Luschka foraminoplasty has not been described. OBJECTIVE: To present an alternative technique in the management of FVOO via an endoscopic transventricular transaqueductal Magendie and Luschka foraminoplasty and to discuss the indications, technique, findings, and outcomes. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2011, all patients who underwent endoscopic Magendie and Luschka foraminoplasty were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 33 Magendie (28) and/or Luschka (5) foraminoplasties were performed in 30 patients. Twenty-three were adult and 7 were pediatric patients. The etiology of the FVOO was divided into primary etiologies (congenital membrane in 5 and atresia in 2) and secondary causes (neurocysticercosis in 14 patients, bacterial meningitis in 9). Fifteen (50%) had previously failed procedures. Intraoperative findings that led to Magendie/Luschka foraminoplasty were ETV not feasible to perform, nonpatent basal subarachnoid space, or primary FVOO. Minor postoperative complications were seen in 3 patients. Only 26 patients had long-term follow-up; 17 (65.3%) of these had clinical improvement and did not require further procedures. Nine (34.7%) did not improve. Eight required another procedure (7 shunts, and 1 endoscopic procedure). One patient died. CONCLUSION: Flexible neuroendoscopic transventricular transforaminal Magendie and Luschka foraminoplasty is feasible and safe. These procedures may prove to be viable alternatives to standard ETV and VP shunt in appropriate patients. Adequate intraoperative assessment of ETV success is necessary to identify patients who will benefit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukwoo Hong ◽  
Daisuke Hirokawa ◽  
Kenichi Usami ◽  
Hideki Ogiwara

OBJECTIVEThe goal of this study was to clarify the long-term outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in pediatric hydrocephalus in light of the ETV Success Score (ETVSS), shunt dependency, and intellectual development.METHODSThe authors retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients with hydrocephalus who underwent ETV between 2002 and 2012 and who were followed for longer than 5 years as a single-center cohort. The data of the patients’ pre- and postoperative status were collected. The relationships between ETVSS and the full-scale IQ as well as shunt dependency were analyzed. The usefulness of ETVSS for repeat ETV and the change of radiological parameters of ventricle size before and after ETV were also analyzed. The success of ETV was defined as no requirement for further CSF diversion procedures.RESULTSFifty ETVs were performed in 40 patients. The average ETVSS was 61 and the success rate at 6 months was 64%. The mean follow-up was 9.9 years (5.2–15.3 years), and the long-term success rate of ETV was 50%. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve continued to show a statistically significant difference among patients with a low, moderate, and high ETVSS, even after 6 months (p = 0.002). After 15 months from the initial ETV, no patients required additional CSF diversion surgery. There was no statistical significance between ETVSS and the long-term full-scale IQ or shunt dependency (p = 0.34 and 0.12, respectively). The radiological improvement in ventricle size was not associated with better future educational outcome.CONCLUSIONSThe ETVSS was correlated with the long-term success rate. After 15 months from the initial ETV, no patients required an additional CSF diversion procedure. The ETVSS was not considered to be correlated with long-term intellectual status.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Amini ◽  
Richard H. Schmidt

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has gained popularity and has become the treatment of choice for certain pediatric and adult hydrocephalic conditions. The authors report their experience with 36 adult patients and evaluate the long-term outcome and safety of ETV. They discuss several improvements to the surgical techniques that they have developed based on their experience, including the use of intraoperative Doppler imaging before fenestration to trace the location of vessels underlying the floor of the third ventricle. They also report the use of a Rickham reservoir and endoventricular stent in selected cases and discuss the indications for their use. In cases of obstructive hydrocephalus due to congenital or acquired aqueductal stenosis in adults, the success rate of ETV in avoidance of shunt placement is 72%. Twenty-two percent of the patients in this series in whom ETV was initially successful later experienced closure of the fenestration and recurrent symptoms at a mean interval of 3.75 years. Thus, in patients who undergo this treatment, long-term periodic follow-up review should be performed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (02) ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Matheus Fernandes de Oliveira ◽  
Koshiro Nishikuni ◽  
José Marcus Rotta

AbstractEndoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an established treatment for hydrocephalus and is an alternative method avoiding shunts and its complications. There is still controversy regarding the higher risk of failure in younger infants. NARF was a male preterm newborn of 33 weeks old, with Moebius syndrome and 1,800 grams at birth. Detailed neonatal evaluation revealed hydrocephalus with bilateral ventricular index of 0.6. It was then decided, in spite of prematurity and low birth weight to perform ETV with the age of 25 days, with 1,850 grams. After discharge, follow-up was lost due to family moving to another city. By chance, after seven years child returned to our medical facility and a follow-up magnetic resonance revealed pervious ETV with high flow, demonstrating functionality of ventriculostomy. Patient's age and etiology of hydrocephalus are the most important factors influencing the success rate of ETV. Recently, the age between 6 months and 1 year old became a cutoff below which failure rates are reported to be particularly high and there are dichotomized experience. The results in low birth weight and preterm infants is not widely known and can be poor. Our case illustrates a successful ETV in a both preterm and low birth weight newborn and a satisfactory long term result, reinforcing the security and efficacy of ETV even in newborns.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 734-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew G. Stovell ◽  
Rasheed Zakaria ◽  
Jonathan R. Ellenbogen ◽  
Mathew J. Gallagher ◽  
Michael D. Jenkinson ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an effective treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus and avoids the risk for foreign-body infection associated with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts. The short-term failure rate of ETV strongly depends on the indications for its use but is generally thought to be lower in the long term than that of VP shunts. However, few studies are available with long-term follow-up data of ETV for hydrocephalus in children. The authors reviewed the long-term success of ETV at their institution to investigate the rate of any late failures of this procedure. METHODS Between April 1998 and June 2006, 113 children (including neonates and children up to 16 years old) had primary or secondary ETV for different causes of hydrocephalus. The patients' medical records and the authors' electronic operation database were reviewed for evidence of additional surgery (i.e., repeat ETV or VP shunt insertion). These records were checked at both the pediatric and adult neurosurgical hospitals for those patients who had their care transferred to adult services. RESULTS The median length of follow-up was 8.25 years (range 1 month to 16 years). Long-term follow-up data for 96 patients were available, 47 (49%) of whom had additional ETV or VP shunt insertion for ETV failure. Twenty patients (21%) had a second procedure within 1 month, 17 patients (18%) between 1 and 12 months, 7 patients (7%) between 1 and 5 years, and 3 patients (3%) between 5 and 8 years. CONCLUSIONS In the authors' series, ETV had an initial early failure rate for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus as reported previously, and this rate significantly depended on patient age and hydrocephalus etiology. Once stabilized and effective, ETV appeared to be durable but not guaranteed, and some late decline in effectiveness was observed, with some ETV failures occurring many years later. Thus, successful ETV in children cannot be guaranteed for life, and some form of follow-up is recommended long term into adulthood.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Wellons ◽  
R. Shane Tubbs ◽  
Jason T. Banks ◽  
Brenda Grabb ◽  
Jeffrey P. Blount ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE We report the control of hydrocephalus in children with presumed tectal plate gliomas by the use of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). METHODS The hospital records, office charts, and imaging studies from children who underwent ETV at the Children's Hospital of Alabama were reviewed. Thirteen children with the diagnosis of tectal plate glioma and hydrocephalus were identified. ETV was the primary therapy instituted for all but one of these children. Successful treatment outcome was defined as shunt freedom, improvement in symptoms, and reduced ventricular size. RESULTS Thirteen children underwent a total of 15 ETVs, and all children were shunt-free at their most recent follow-up examinations. One child underwent successful secondary ETV, one child underwent shunt removal concomitant with the initial ETV, and one child underwent shunt removal concomitant with secondary ETV. Symptoms and signs resolved in all patients. All postoperative cranial imaging studies revealed normal or reduced ventricular size as compared with preoperative cranial imaging scans. The median follow-up period was 31 months. CONCLUSION In our surgical experience, ETV has been uniformly successful in the management of hydrocephalus caused by tectal plate gliomas in children. ETV should be considered the treatment of choice for hydrocephalus in pediatric patients with tectal plate gliomas.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janneke van Beijnum ◽  
Patrick W. Hanlo ◽  
Kathelijn Fischer ◽  
Mohsen M. Majidpour ◽  
Marlous F. Kortekaas ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a well-known surgical option in the treatment of noncommunicating hydrocephalus. We studied complications and long-term success in 202 patients to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of laser-assisted endoscopic third ventriculostomy (LA-ETV) using a unique “black” fiber tip/diode laser combination for controlled tissue ablation. METHODS We studied 213 LA-ETVs, which were performed in 202 patients. Patients' ages ranged from 2 days to 83 years (mean age, 27 yr). The mean follow-up period for all patients was 2.7 years (range, 2 d to 12 yr). Hydrocephalus was caused by aqueductal stenosis in 65 patients, tumors in 67 patients, hemorrhages in 24 patients, myelomeningoceles in 20 patients, cysts in 15 patients, and other causes in 11 patients. The long-term effectiveness of LA-ETV was studied with Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS Technically successful LA-ETVs were accomplished in 196 of the 202 patients (97%). The overall success rate for a functional LA-ETV was 68% at the 2-year follow-up evaluation. LA-ETV was more effective in patients aged 1 year and older (70% success rate) than in younger patients (59% success rate). Success rates were greater in patients with aqueductal stenosis or tumors as compared to other etiologies. Complications occurred in 22 procedures (10.3%). Only one patient (0.5%) experienced a major complication. No surgical mortalities or laser-related complications occurred. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that LA-ETV is a safe and effective procedure that is comparable to other techniques for ETV. LA-ETV is most effective in patients aged 1 year and older and in patients with aqueductal stenosis and tumors, with a low major complication rate.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy W. Vogel ◽  
Biji Bahuleyan ◽  
Shenandoah Robinson ◽  
Alan R. Cohen

Object Hydrocephalus remains a major public health problem. Conventional treatment has relied on extracranial shunting of CSF to another systemic site, but this approach is associated with a high rate of complications. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a novel treatment for select forms of hydrocephalus that can eliminate the need for implantation of a lifelong ventricular shunt system. However, the indications for ETV are contested and its long-term effectiveness is not well established. Methods The authors selected 100 consecutive patients who underwent ETV for hydrocephalus beginning in 1994. Patients were enrolled and treated at a single institution by a single surgeon. The primary outcome was success of ETV, with success defined as no need for subsequent surgery for hydrocephalus. Results Ninety-five patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up period was 5.1 years (median 4.7 years) with follow-up data available for as long as 17 years. Patients commonly presented with headache (85%), ataxia (34%), emesis (29%), and changes in vision (27%). The success rate for ETV was 75%. Twenty-one patients (22%) in the series had malfunctioning shunts preoperatively and 13 (62%) were successfully treated with ETV. Preoperative inferior bowing of the third ventricle floor on MRI was significantly associated with ETV success (p < 0.05). Conclusions Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is an effective and durable treatment for select patients with hydrocephalus. When successful, the procedure eliminates the lifelong complications associated with implanted ventricular shunts.


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