Cyst fenestration and Ommaya reservoir placement in endoscopic transcortical transventricular approach for recurrent suprasellar cystic craniopharyngioma without ventriculomegaly

Abstract

The efficacy of the endoscopic transcortical transventricular approach (ETTA) for craniopharyngioma in the third ventricle with hydrocephalus has been reported focusing on its reduced invasiveness. On the other hand, suprasellar craniopharyngioma without ventriculomegaly is generally surgically managed by craniotomy or the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). Here, we report an elderly patient who received cyst fenestration and Ommaya reservoir placement in ETTA for recurrent suprasellar cystic craniopharyngioma without ventriculomegaly. The ETTA as a less invasive procedure is feasible in patients not only with intraventricular craniopharyngioma but also with suprasellar craniopharyngioma without hydrocephalus provided a navigational system is applied and the surgeon has ample experience with transcranial endoscopic procedures.