Paraventricular Tumors Research Articles

Intracranial Neuroendoscopy in Children and Adults: Where Do the Differences Lie?

Intraventricular neuroendoscopy has evolved into an essential adjunct in neurosurgery and is used across all age groups for various indications. However, studies comparing neuroendoscopic procedures between children and adults are scarce. The aim of this study is to compare various aspects between adults and children undergoing neuroendoscopy. We retrospectively analyzed the data from consecutive patients dichotomized into 2 cohorts, pediatric (age <18 years) and adult (age ≥18 years) groups, in whom intracranial neuroendoscopy was performed between 2013 and 2020 (pediatric group) and 2010 and 2020 (adult group). Of 132 patients who underwent intracranial neuroendoscopic surgery, 47 (35.6%) were children and 85 (64.4%) were adults. The most common indications for the children and adults were intraventricular or paraventricular tumors (23.4%) and aqueduct stenosis (40%), respectively. Their clinical condition at the last follow-up was unchanged or improved for 90.5% of the children and 92.1% of the adults. An increased endoscopic third ventriculostomy success score was predictive of endoscopic third ventriculostomy success in the pediatric cohort (odds ratio, 1.073; P= 0.043). The postoperative rates of transient (pediatric, 23.4%; adult, 18.8%) and permanent (pediatric, 0%; adult, 1.2%) complications were comparable. The rate of secondary surgery was higher for the pediatric cohort (38.3%) than for the adult cohort (17.6%). The indications for neuroendoscopy vary between adults and children, although the long-term clinical outcome is comparable. The rate of secondary surgery is significantly higher for pediatric patients, especially for those aged <1 year. Because neuroendoscopy is considerably more frequent in pediatric patients, including pediatric neurosurgeons in adult neuroendoscopic cases could potentially help lower the complication rates and increase the success rates.

Subdural collection after transcortical approach for pediatric brain tumors; avoidance, consequence and solutions

IntroductionSubdural collections, following brain surgeries in pediatrics, are common and unfortunately not always easily treated; especially in huge parenchymal tumors, intraventricular tumors and paraventricular tumors. Different approaches for prevention and treatment of theses subdural collections have been discussed by several studies, but till now no solid consensus has been reached. One of these approaches is to approximate incised cortical edges by suturing the pia, use of fibrin adhesive glue and subsequent Ringer inflation. The aim of our study is to avoid cortical mantle collapse and to prevent the development of progressive pressurizing subdural fluid collections.Patients and methodsThis study included 12 pediatric cases operated for large sized brain tumors between 2014 and 2019, in the department of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Alexandria University. All cases were operated via transcortical approach. Patients were followed prospectively for postoperative complications including postoperative subdural collections. In all patients, gel foam and fibrin glue on the cortical and ependymal edges, with suture approximation of the cortical edges and subsequent Ringer lactate inflation in the residual cavity were routinely done.ResultsWith the consecutive follow-up images, six cases (50%) showed persistent subdural collection following tumor resection. Three cases had 5–6 mm asymptomatic subdural collection thickness that resolved within 3 to 6 months, and the rest three cases showed more than 7 mm thickness subdural collection. In these 3/12 (25%) cases patients had symptomatic and progressive increase in the subdural fluid collections. A subdural-peritoneal shunt was necessary only for 1 patient (8%). After finishing his adjuvant therapy, it was possible to remove the subdural-peritoneal shunt. While in the other 2 patients, the subdural collection was managed surgically with just a burr hole evacuation. The clinical manifestations resolved postoperatively but complete resolution of these 2 subdural collections occurred within 7 and 9 months.ConclusionThe use of sutures and fibrin adhesive to seal surgical defects with inflation of the residual cavity with Ringer lactate solution might decrease the development of subdural fluid collections, through avoiding the cortical mantle collapse.

A Predictive Nomogram for Postoperative Hydrocephalus After Intra- and Paraventricular Tumor Resection: A Retrospective Study of 196 Patients

Hydrocephalus is a common complication of intra- and paraventricular tumors both before and after tumor resection. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative hydrocephalus and established a predictive nomogram to improve surgical planning and adjust the frequency of postoperative clinical and radiographic monitoring. A retrospective study of 196 intra- and paraventricular tumor patients with follow-up data was conducted to investigate the risk factors for postoperative hydrocephalus via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. We developed a nomogram incorporating these factors based on multivariate analysis and according to scores calculated by the predictive model; a hazard function curve was used to compared risk of hydrocephalus. Among the 196 patients, 33 had postoperative hydrocephalus. Intraventricular tumor (P= 0.005), glioblastoma (P= 0.010), preoperative hydrocephalus (P= 0.007), and radiotherapy (P= 0.033) were independent risk factors for postoperative hydrocephalus. The nomogram including these independent risk factors had moderate predictive accuracy, with a concordance index of 0.716 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.605-0.828), while the area under the curve values at 6, 12, and 24months were 0.708 (95% CI: 0.563-0.853), 0.763 (95% CI: 0.656-0.870) and 0.861 (95% CI: 0.779-0.943), respectively. The hazard function showed differences between the lower and higher nomogram score groups. The higher the nomogram score, the higher the risk of postoperative hydrocephalus (P<0.001). The established nomogram performs well for predicting postoperative hydrocephalus. Clinicians can use this nomogram to review their practice regarding hydrocephalus associated with intra- and paraventricular tumors, plan surgical treatment and adjust the frequency of postoperative clinical and radiographic monitoring.

Endoscopic biopsy of a frontal lobe tumor infiltrating the lateral ventricle using intraoperative navigation

The authors describe the clinical observation of a patient with a paraventricular tumor of the left frontal lobe and demonstrate the effectiveness of endoscopic biopsy of a volumetric mass of such localization through the lateral ventricle using intraoperative navigation. The disease manifested with convulsive seizures two years before the patient was admitted to the hospital. During this period of time, he was repeatedly examined. The dimensions of the volumetric formation remained unchanged. Based on the data obtained, it was not possible to accurately verify the type of tumor. Anticonvulsant therapy was ineffective. The patient underwent surgery - endoscopic partial removal of the tumor (biopsy) and opening of the tumor cyst through the left lateral ventricle using intraoperative navigation. Clinical improvement in the patient's condition was achieved. After the operation, the headaches and the seizures stopped.

Intratumoral Hemorrhage After Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy for Obstructive Hydrocephalus Caused by Brain Tumors

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for obstructive hydrocephalus and endoscopic biopsy (EB) for intraventricular and paraventricular tumors are standard therapies because they are minimally invasive procedures. Although EB-associated hemorrhagic risk has been well documented, there have been only a few reports on hemorrhagic risk associated with ETV. We conducted a single-institution retrospective study on the incidence of hemorrhage secondary to EB and/or ETV. We retrospectively reviewed patient characteristics, procedure, pathological findings, and complications including hemorrhage of 100 patients with intraventricular and paraventricular tumors who underwent EB and/or ETV at our institution from 2000 to2020. EB/ETV combined surgery (combined group), EB-alone surgery (EB-alone group), and ETV-alone surgery (ETV-alone group) were performed in 44 (44%), 24 (24%), and 32 (32%) patients, respectively, and all procedures were successful. The rates of definitive and suggestive diagnoses in EB were 76.5% and 23.5%, respectively. Adverse events were observed in 6 patients. In the combined group, acute obstruction of the ETV stoma was observed in 1 patient and transient double vision was observed in 1 patient. Transient aqueductal stenosis/obstruction was observed in 2 patients in the EB-alone group. In the ETV-alone group, hemorrhage was observed in 2 patients; these patients developed intratumoral hemorrhage despite ETV-alone surgery. Subsequently, these 2 patients underwent tumor removal, and the histopathological diagnosis was atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor in both. For obstructive hydrocephalus with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, physicians must be aware of the risk of postoperative intratumoral hemorrhage after performing ETV.

SWI/SNF deficient central nervous system neoplasms

The SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complexes are ubiquitous ATP dependent chromatin remodeling complexes that provide epigenetic regulation of gene expressions across the genome. Different combination of SWI/SNF subunits allow tissue specific regulation of critical cellular processes. The identification of SMARCB1 inactivation in pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumors provided the first example that the SWI/SNF complex may act as a tumor suppressor. It is now estimated at least 20% of all human tumors contain mutations in the subunits of the SWI/SNF complex. This review summarizes the central nervous system tumors with alterations in the SWI/SNF complex genes. Atypical teratoid/rabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a highly aggressive embryonal tumor genetically characterized by bi-allelic inactivation of SMARCB1, and immunohistochemically shows complete absence of nuclear expression of its protein product INI1. A small subset of AT/RT show retained INI1 expression but defects in another SWI/SNF complex gene SMARCA4. Embryonal tumors with medulloblastoma, pineoblastoma, or primitive neuroectodermal morphology but loss of INI1 expression are now classified as AT/RT. Cribriform neuroepithelial tumor (CRINET) is an intra or para-ventricular tumor that has similar SMARCB1 alterations as AT/RT but generally has a benign clinical course. Besides AT/RT and CRINET, compete loss of nuclear INI1 expression has also been reported in poorly differentiated chordoma and intracranial myxoid sarcoma within the central nervous system. Families with non-truncating SMARCB1 mutations are prone to develop schwannomatosis and a range of developmental syndromes. The schwannomas in these patients usually demonstrate a mosaic INI1 staining pattern suggestive of partial residual protein function. Finally, clear cell meningioma is a WHO grade II variant meningioma characterized by bi-allelic inactivation of the SMARCE1 gene and immunohistochemically show loss of its protein product BAF57 expression in tumor cell nuclei.

Visual-Controlled Endoscopic Biopsy of Paraventricular Intraparenchymal Tumors

Frame-based stereotaxy represents the gold standard for biopsy of deep-seated lesions. Visual control of possible bleeding in these lesions is not possible. Neuroendoscopic biopsy represents an alternative procedure for tissue sampling in deep-seated intraventricular lesions. The authors present a technique for transventricular-navigated endoscopic biopsy of lesions that are located in the paraventricular region. Biopsy of paraventricular pathologies was performed in 6 male and 6 female patients between March 2013 and September 2018. The patient age ranged from 18 to 82 years. All patients underwent a pure endoscopic procedure over a burr hole trepanation supported by frameless navigation of the sedan probe. Histologic diagnoses were established in all biopsies. In all patients, a direct control of the biopsy area was feasible, and hemostasis could be obtained. In 5 patients, endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed first due to obstructive hydrocephalus. In 1 patient suffering from obstructive hydrocephalus, a pellucidotomy was performed. In 9 cases, the initial postoperative course was uneventful. Three patients suffered from persistent hydrocephalus and had to be treated with ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion. Endoscopically conducted biopsies with the aid of navigated tracking of the probe represent a possible additional technique in selected paraventricular intraparenchymal pathologies. The endoscopic approach enables the direct visualization of the intraventricular surface and its vessels. In contrast to standard stereotactic biopsy, direct visual control of hemostasis can be obtained even in paraventricular tumors.

Treatment of a pregnant woman with glioblastoma complicated by acute occlusive hydrocephalus in the subcompensation stage (from practice)

The study objective is to present a rare clinical observation, describe a successful 2-stage neurosurgical treatment of a pregnant patient with glioblastoma complicated by acute occlusive hydrocephalus.Materials and methods. A pregnant woman, 36 years (pregnancy 28–29 weeks), was urgently hospitalized with a suspicion for preeclampsia at a multispecialty hospital with a maternity ward. One day prior to hospitalization the patient developed hypertensive syndrome manifesting through headache, nausea, vomiting, depressed consciousness to stupor, then seizures in the extremities with loss of consciousness.Examination had shown malignant paraventricular tumor of the left temporal and parietal lobes accompanied by perifocal edema, brain dislocation, and acute occlusive triventricular hydrocephalus.Results. Treatment included the following stages: 1) emergency endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy under local anesthesia, 2) premature delivery per cesarean section, 3) microsurgical resection of the brain tumor. Histological examination diagnosed glioblastoma (grade IV). The patient was discharged with minimal neurological deficiency (elements of motor and sensory aphasia) for administration of chemoradiation therapy.Conclusion. Surgical treatment of a patient with glioblastoma and acute occlusive hydrocephalus in the 3rd trimester can be performed safely and effectively for the mother and fetus in 2 stages. Third ventriculocisternostomy under local anesthesia is recommended as a method of cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

Neuroendoscopic Intraoperative Ultrasound-Guided Technique for Biopsy of Paraventricular Tumors

Different tumors can be encountered in the paraventricular regions, and whereas their deep location often make them difficult to access surgically, they may be amenable to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Therefore, tumor biopsy and histologic diagnosis are mandatory to optimize treatment. Different technical procedures have been recommended; the neuroendoscopic approach is accepted and widely used, in particular with an enlarged ventricular system. However, specifically with paraventricular tumors, tissue sampling may be challenging. In such a scenario, the use of intraoperative ultrasonography technique can add some advantages regarding diagnostic accuracy and procedure safety. Accordingly, in this study we describe a novel technical procedure in 7 selected patients in whom tumor tissue biopsy was performed in a coupled neuroendoscopic and ultrasound-guided environment. We define a neuroendoscopic intraoperative ultrasound technique. The main advantages of this technique are the identification of the tumor that may not been clearly identified underneath the ventricular ependymal through the neuroendoscopic window alone, and furthermore, that this technique gives the possibility to detect the depth of the needle advance∖ment in the selected tissue while labeling the lesion beneath the ventricular ependyma. Moreover, intraoperative ultrasonography can reveal in a real-time fashion intracranial hemorrhages that may occur after tissue biopsy, therefore providing a useful tool to achieve valid and directed hemostasis when needed.

Neuroendoscopic biopsy: analysis of a series of 80 patients

Neuroendoscopy enables diagnostic biopsy of intraventricular and/or paraventricular tumors and the simultaneous treatment of associated hydrocephalus in selected cases. The objective of this paper was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of this procedure. This retrospective study included 80 patients between 2months and 78years old diagnosed with intraventricular and/or paraventricular expansive lesion who underwent neuroendoscopic biopsy from 2004 to 2016. Collected variables were gender, age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, tumor location, surgical technique, management of hydrocephalus, pathological findings, procedure-related complications, and follow-up time. Neuroendoscopic biopsy was performed in 80 patients. Mean age at diagnosis was 27years, and 52.5% were men. According to the Depreitere Classification, 71 were level I (conclusive diagnosis), 1 level III (problematic categorization), and 8 level IV (non-interpretable diagnosis). The most frequent diagnosis was grade I astrocytoma (14%). Diagnostic success per patient was 88.7%. Sixty-nine patients had hydrocephalus at diagnosis, 37 of whom were treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), with septostomy (SPT) in 14, and only SPT in 4. Twenty-eight patients underwent ventricular peritoneal shunt (VPS), with SPT in 20. The ETV success rate was 70.9%. The complication rate per patient was 11%: five patients presented intraventricular hemorrhage, three of whom died; one patient presented cerebrospinal fluid fistula; three presented transient oculomotor impairment. Postoperative follow-up was from 1month to 12.4years (mean 45months). Neuroendoscopy is an effective procedure for the pathological diagnosis of intraventricular and paraventricular tumors, allowing the treatment of associated hydrocephalus. Nevertheless, it is not exempt from serious complications and requires proper training.

Endoscopic biopsy of intra- and paraventricular brain tumors.

IntroductionSelection of the optimal treatment method of intra- and paraventricular tumors often requires histopathological verification that can be obtained by endoscopic biopsy.AimTo discuss the usefulness of the method in their own experience.Material and methodsThe results of 32 biopsies carried out during a 15-year period were reviewed retrospectively. All tumors were located supratentorially, 25 of them were intraventricular and 7 paraventricular. In 18 patients the tumor was accompanied by internal hydrocephalus. If the ventricular system was narrow, the biopsy was supported by a neuronavigation system. A rigid neuroendoscope was used. The obtained material was subjected to intraoperative and final histopathological examination.ResultsViable diagnostic material was obtained from all patients. In 11 patients with tumor of the posterior portion of the third ventricle, cerebrospinal fluid was collected additionally for diagnostic tests. In 9 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus concomitant third ventriculostomy was performed. In 4 patients with tumor of the interventricular foramen, the tumor mass was reduced and in 2 cases septostomy was performed. In 3 (9.4%) cases the histopathological diagnosis was descriptive and did not explain the nature of the lesion. Four biopsies resulted in persistent bleeding, in 3 patients transient memory impairments were observed, and in 1 patient an epileptic seizure occurred. Five patients needed ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.ConclusionsEndoscopic biopsy is a safe method to verify the histopathological nature of intra- and paraventricular lesions. It enables sampling of cerebrospinal fluid, reduction of tumor size, and in cases of coexisting obstructive hydrocephalus also third ventriculostomy or septostomy.

Clinical application and technique of biopsy using ventriculoscope for paraventricular tumors

Clinical application and technique of biopsy using ventriculoscope for paraventricular tumors

Fluorescein-Guided Neuroendoscopy for Intraventricular Lesions: A Case Series.

The benefits of neuroendoscopy in the pathological diagnosis of intra- and paraventricular tumors have already been shown in many neurosurgical studies. However, most authors agree that neuroendoscopic biopsies are not infrequently inconclusive due to small or inadequate samples, prompting the need for new diagnostic strategies. To describe a technique not previously reported in the literature, combining neuroendoscopy with angiofluorescein guidance for the pathological diagnosis of intra- and paraventricular tumors. The 4-mm steerable fiberscope used was equipped with dual observation modes for white light and fluorescein. Access was by the classical precoronal burr hole. After inspecting the ventricular system in white light, a 10-mg/kg dose of fluorescein sodium (FS) was administered intravenously to the patient. The endoscope was then switched to the blue light fluorescent mode to better localize the pathological tissue. The protocol had been submitted to the local ethics committee. From September 2011 to March 2015, 9 consecutive patients (aged 1-56 yr) harboring intra- and paraventricular lesions prospectively underwent angiofluorescein-guided endoscopy. In all cases, a pathological diagnosis was obtained without complications. In 5 patients, an endoscopic third ventriculostomy, and, in 1 patient, a septostomy was performed during the same procedure. Fluorescein guidance definitely modified our site of biopsy in 4 cases. In our experience, FS has proven to be a strong enhancer of all ventricular lesions presenting with a disrupted blood-brain barrier, including inflammatory processes. Fluorescein-guided neuroendoscopy appears to be a safe, economic method to improve diagnostic potential in ventricular lesions.

Endoscopic Biopsy for Intra- and Paraventricular Tumors: Rates of Complications, Mortality, and Tumor Cell Dissemination.

Intra- and paraventricular tumors are frequently associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway obstruction. Thus the aim of an endoscopic approach is to restore patency of the CSF pathways and to obtain a tumor biopsy. Because endoscopic tumor biopsy may increase tumor cell dissemination, this study sought to evaluate this risk. Forty-four patients who underwent endoscopic biopsies for ventricular or paraventricular tumors between 1993 and 2011 were included in the study. Charts and images were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate rates of adverse events, mortality, and tumor cell dissemination. Adverse events, mortality, and tumor cell dissemination were evaluated. Postoperative clinical condition improved in 63.0% of patients, remained stable in 30.4%, and worsened in 6.6%. One patient (2.2%) had a postoperative thalamic stroke leading to hemiparesis and hemineglect. No procedure-related deaths occurred. Postoperative tumor cell dissemination was observed in 14.3% of patients available for follow-up. For patients presenting with occlusive hydrocephalus due to tumors in or adjacent to the ventricular system, endoscopic CSF diversion is the procedure of first choice. Tumor biopsy in the current study did not affect safety or efficacy.

Neuroendoscopic biopsy and the treatment of tumor-associated hydrocephalus of the ventricular and paraventricular region in pediatric patients: a nationwide study in Japan.

A neuroendoscopic biopsy is a minimally invasive and useful procedure for the diagnosis and initial management of tumor-associated hydrocephalus. We describe the nationwide investigation of the current status of neuroendoscopic biopsy for intra- and paraventricular tumors in children, as well as the treatment of tumor-associated hydrocephalus in pediatric patients. The main items examined included the patient's age and sex, location of the tumor, pathological diagnosis, complications, treatment and efficacy of treatment of the tumor-associated hydrocephalus, and the dissemination during the postoperative course. Two hundred twenty-one pediatric patients (mean 8.6years) from 67 institutions were registered. Endoscopic tumor biopsies were performed in 206 patients (93.2%), and a histopathological diagnosis could be performed in 195 of these 206 patients (94.7%). The most frequently histopathologically diagnosed tumor was a germ cell tumor (41.5%), followed by astrocytic tumors (24.1%) and cystic lesions (15.9%). Associated hydrocephalus was observed in 177 patients (80.1%), 101 of whom underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). The efficacy rate of the ETV in the perioperative period was 99.0%, and the long-term response rate was 90.1%. Perioperative complications other than fever were found in 24 patients (10.9%). In the statistical analysis, pediatric long-term response rate to ETV (p = 0.025) showed significantly more favorable results for pediatric than adult patients (p < 0.05). Neuroendoscopic procedures involving pediatric intra- and paraventricular tumors were considered to be very useful, with a low incidence of complication, and were associated with higher safety.

Narrow band imaging-guided endoscopic biopsy for intraventricular and paraventricular brain tumors: clinical experience with 14 cases

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) has been confirmed as a useful endoscopic technique to distinguish neoplasm from normal tissue, on the basis of the enhanced neovascularity of tumor tissue. NBI-guided tissue biopsy for laryngopharyngeal and digestive lesions is a novel methodology, but the feasibility for central nervous system tumors remains unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of NBI-guided biopsy for intraventricular and paraventricular tumor. Fourteen patients with intraventricular or paraventricular tumors underwent neuroendoscopic biopsy using a videoscope with NBI. Ventricular walls and tumors were observed using conventional imaging, followed by NBI. Colors of ventricle walls and tumors visualized using NBI were compared to those visualized under conventional imaging. Extracted specimens were stained using CD31 antibody and numbers of microvessels in each specimen were counted for analyzing vascular density. Normal ventricle walls were a similar color under conventional imaging and NBI. Tumor surfaces appeared to be cyan in color under NBI. Vessels on the tumor were more clearly visualized with NBI than with conventional imaging. NBI was able to identify tumor surfaces that were not perceptible on conventional imaging. All specimens in the lesion surfaces from cyan-colored areas under NBI contained tumor cells. Specimens extracted from regions that appeared cyan in color under NBI (51.0 vessels/mm(2)) had significantly greater vascular density than regions that appeared a normal color (17.4 vessels/mm(2); p = 0.039). NBI-guided biopsy of intraventricular and paraventricular tumors is feasible for visualizing tumor surface-enhancing neovascularities. NBI would contribute to accurate histological diagnosis while minimizing injury to surrounding structures.

Rational management of intracranial hypertension

The treatment of intracranial hypertension depends on the type of intracranial hypertension and on the developmental stage of the illness. The treatment is first of all an etiologic one in order to remove the cause that has caused the intracranial pressure increase; simultaneously, there is an attempt to stop the pathogenic mechanisms that impact on the nervous structures, and a symptomatic treatment is applied in order to reduce the intensity of the clinical syndrome. The term of etiologic treatment refers to the etiology of the intracranial hypertension, that is to the immediate cause that generates the intracranial pressure increase: for instance, in the case of a cerebral metastasis leading to ICH, the name of etiologic treatment is given to the action of metastasis extirpation, and it has no connection to the etiology and the therapy of the original neoplasia (1, 2, 3, 4, 15). The intracranial hypertension treatment can be complex by combining three therapeutic methods used concomitantly or successively, or only the pathogenic therapy and the symptomatic one are used, depending on the clinical stage and the paraclinical explorations. The type of intracranial hypertension establishes the treatment that must be applied: 1. the treatment is etiologic in: expansive intracranial processes: cerebral tumors, intracranial hematomas, cerebral abscesses, hydatid cyst, etc., in the case of parenchymatous intracranial hypertension, hypertensive encephalopathy in the case of vascular intracranial hypertension, thrombosis of intracranial vessels, venous or arterial, in the case of vascular intracranial hypertension, CSF circulation disorders due to the existence of a ventricular or paraventricular tumor with the occurrence of an obstructive hydrocephalus, CSF resorption disorders in acute meningitis. 2. the pathogenic treatment is applied in: the ICH cases with known etiology, which are mentioned above, in order to stop the development of the pathogenic mechanisms that have already started, the parenchymatous intracranial hypertension due to posttraumatic brain edema, hypoxic brain edema caused by secondary posttraumatic cerebral ischemia or in the case of sub-arachnoid hemorrhage, general intoxications with neurotoxins (endogenous or exogenous), etc. the vascular intracranial hypertension due to cerebral venous thrombosis, thrombosis of superior sagittal sinus with a decrease in the venous drainage and the blockage of the CSF absorption, or in the case of the secondary ischemic brain edema

Nationwide investigation of the current status of therapeutic neuroendoscopy for ventricular and paraventricular tumors in Japan

The authors report their investigation on the current status of neuroendoscopic biopsy for ventricular and paraventricular tumors as well as treatment for associated hydrocephalus in Japan. Patients who had undergone therapeutic neuroendoscopy between 2005 and 2009 were included in this study. The main items examined were age; sex; localization of tumor; pathological diagnosis using biopsy; the presence, treatment, and efficacy of treatment of associated hydrocephalus; perioperative complications; activities of daily living (ADL) before and after therapeutic neuroendoscopy; and the presence of dissemination during the postoperative course. Seven hundred fourteen patients from 123 sites (462 male and 252 female patients, mean age 33.3 years) were enrolled. Localization of the tumor was mainly classified into the lateral ventricle in 91 patients, the third ventricle in 339, the fourth ventricle in 18, the suprasellar region in 75, and other paraventricular areas in 191 patients. The most commonly observed tumors were germ cell tumors in the third ventricle (177 cases [39%]), cystic lesions in the suprasellar region (56 cases [75%]), and astrocytic tumors in the thalamus-basal ganglia (71 cases [38%]). Although 641 (92.8%) of 691 patients could receive neuroendoscopic diagnosis using biopsy, the diagnosis obtained with endoscopic biopsy differed from the final diagnosis based on subsequent craniotomy in 18 patients and clinical course in 3 patients. Of these 21 patients, 7 had astrocytic tumors, 4 had pineal tumors, 6 had germ cell tumors, and 4 had other tumors. The final diagnostic accuracy rate was 89.7%. Associated hydrocephalus was observed in 517 patients (72.4%), of whom 316 and 39 underwent third ventriculostomy and fenestration of the septum, respectively. The response rates were 96.2% and 89.7%, respectively. Third ventriculostomy was required for recurrence of hydrocephalus in 41 patients (13.0%), and the long-term response rate was therefore 83.2% (263 of 316 patients). Perioperative complications other than fever, such as new onset of or progressive hydrocephalus, infection due to CSF leakage, and bleeding in the ventricle or tumor, were found in 81 patients (11.3%). The median Karnofsky Performance Scale score before endoscopic surgery was 80, but it increased to 90 after surgery. The score was thus significantly increased after surgery (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). Activities of daily living after surgery decreased due to perioperative complications in 15 patients (2.1%). The incidence of new dissemination after endoscopic biopsy was 6.8% and not high compared with routine surgical treatment. The authors concluded that neuroendoscopic diagnosis using biopsy for ventricular and paraventricular tumors is adequately accurate and safe. It was demonstrated that endoscopic procedures play important roles not only in the treatment of hydrocephalus associated with intra- and paraventricular tumors but also in significantly improving ADL. Furthermore, the long-term outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy was clearly favorable.

Neuroendoscopic biopsy of ventricular tumors: a multicentric experience

Although neuroendoscopic biopsy is routinely performed, the safety and validity of this procedure has been studied only in small numbers of patients in single-center reports. The Section of Neuroendoscopy of the Italian Neurosurgical Society invited some of its members to review their own experience, gathering a sufficient number of cases for a wide analysis. Retrospective data were collected by 7 centers routinely performing neuroendoscopic biopsies over a period of 10 years. Sixty patients with newly diagnosed intraventricular and paraventricular tumors were included. No patient harboring a colloid cyst was included. Data regarding clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, operative techniques, pathological diagnosis, postoperative complications, and subsequent therapy were analyzed. In all patients, a neuroendoscopic tumor biopsy was performed. In 38 patients (64%), obstructive hydrocephalus was present. In addition to the tumor biopsy, 32 patients (53%) underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), and 7 (12%) underwent septum pellucidotomy. Only 2 patients required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt shortly after the endoscopy procedure because ETV was not feasible. The major complication due to the endoscopy procedure was ventricular hemorrhage noted on the postoperative images in 8 cases (13%). Only 2 patients were symptomatic and required medical therapy. Infection occurred in only 1 case, and the other complications were all reversible. In no case did clinically significant sequelae affect the patient's outcome. Tumor types ranged across the spectrum and included glioma (low- and high-grade [27%]), pure germinoma (15%), pineal parenchymal tumor (12%), primary neuroectodermal tumor (4%), lymphoma (9%), metastasis (4%), craniopharyngioma (6%), and other tumor types (13%). In 10% of patients, the pathological findings were inconclusive. According to diagnosis, specific therapy was performed in 35% of patients: 17% underwent microsurgical removal, and 18% underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This is one of the largest series confirming the safety and validity of the neuroendoscopic biopsy procedure. Complications were relatively low (about 13%), and they were all reversible. Neuroendoscopic biopsy provided meaningful pathological data in 90% of patients, making subsequent tumor therapy feasible. Cerebrospinal fluid pathways can be restored by ETV or septum pellucidotomy (65%) to control intracranial hypertension. In light of the results obtained, a neuroendoscopic biopsy should be considered a possible alternative to the stereotactic biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of ventricular or paraventricular tumors. Furthermore, it could be the only surgical procedure necessary for the treatment of selected tumors.

Efficacy of simultaneous single-trajectory endoscopic tumor biopsy and endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures in intra- and paraventricular tumors

Intraventricular and paraventricular tumors resulting in hydrocephalus commonly require a CSF diversion procedure. A tumor biopsy can often be performed concurrently. Although the tissue samples obtained during endoscopic biopsy procedures are small, a diagnosis can be made in most cases. In the present study the authors analyzed the efficacy of concurrent endoscopic biopsy and CSF diversion procedures using a single bur hole and trajectory. Eighty-seven patients with intraventricular and paraventricular tumors were treated with endoscopic biopsy and CSF diversion procedures using a rigid rod-lens endoscope or a rigid fiberscope during a 10-year period. All patients underwent a tumor biopsy and an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), aqueductal stenting (AS), or ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting, depending on the tumor location and site of obstruction. A single bur hole for both procedures was used in all patients. Among the 87 patients, the biopsy was diagnostic in 72 (83%) and merely suggestive in 7 (8%); in 8 patients (9%) the sample was nondiagnostic. Among the 22 patients who underwent an initial endoscopic biopsy and subsequent procedures, the specimen obtained at the second surgery was concordant with the initial endoscopic biopsy sample in 13 patients; it was somewhat similar in 4 patients. In the other 5 patients, either a microsurgical or stereotactic approach was used to correctly diagnose the pathology. Fifty-five patients were considered for endoscopic CSF diversion procedures; an ETV was performed in 52 patients and AS in 2. An ETV could not be performed in 3 patients for technical reasons. A VP shunt was inserted in 32 patients, with 25 undergoing shunt placement at the same time as the ETV and 7 at a later date. Significant bleeding was encountered in 3 patients during the tumor biopsy and in 1 patient during the ETV. The ETV failed in 1 patient during the follow-up, and a repeat ETV was required. Endoscopic biopsy sampling and a concurrent CSF diversion procedure through a single bur hole and trajectory can be considered for intraventricular tumors. The overall success rates of 83% for the biopsy procedure and 86% for the ETV indicate that the procedures are beneficial in the majority of cases. A concordance rate of 75% was found in patients who underwent an initial biopsy procedure and a subsequent microsurgical approach for tumor excision.