Preoperative Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Research Articles

Effect of endoscopic third ventriculostomy on the prevention of hydrocephalus and the need for shunting in patients undergoing surgery for posterior fossa masses, a comparative study

BackgroundDue to the compressive effect of the brain masses, hydrocephalus treatment is mainly achieved by shunting and discharge of fluid. However, some reports have shown the potential adverse effects of this method and its potential contraindications that result in focusing on preventive approaches like endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Hence, in the present study, the authors undertook a study to examine the hypothesis that preoperative ETV could reduce the likelihood of hydrocephalus and the need for shunting in patients undergoing surgery for posterior fossa tumors. MethodsIn the current cross-sectional study, 40 consecutive patients were scheduled for surgery to remove posterior fossa masses using ETV preoperatively (n = 23) or were considered as the controls with no preoperative ETV (n = 17). Afterward, these patients were followed up for 2 months after surgery regarding hydrocephalus and the need for shunt insertion. The postoperative change in the ventricular-cranial ratio (VCR) was also compared in 2 groups. ResultsOf 23 patients in the ETV group, none required postoperative shunting due to the lack of evidence supporting hydrocephalus; however, 7 patients were found to require shunting in the non-ETV group. Notably, the value of VCR significantly reduced in both groups with no significant difference. ConclusionETV protocol before the surgical removal of posterior fossa tumors can effectively reduce the rate of postoperative hydrocephalus, decreasing the need for postoperative shunting.

Role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in patients undergoing resection of pulvinar area lesions: Preliminary clinical results

BackgroundPatients with pulvinar area lesions may develop hydrocephalus at any stage. The role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in this setting remains unclear. MethodWe retrospectively enrolled 15 patients with a mean age of 43 years who underwent endoscopic resection of pulvinar area lesions using the supracerebellar infratentorial approach (SCITA). We compared the different modalities of hydrocephalus management and their outcomes. ResultsNine of 15 patients (60.0%) had preoperative obstructive hydrocephalus. Five patients underwent ETV before tumor resection, and none developed postoperative hydrocephalus. Four patients underwent one-stage surgery for tumor removal, and one patient with a polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young required postoperative ETV. Another patient with diffuse astrocytoma and hydrocephalus underwent concurrent lamina terminalis fenestration and endoscopic resection via the SCITA, which resulted in the resolution of hydrocephalus. The preoperative ETV group had no major postoperative complications, while the non-ETV group had three (0/5 vs. 3/4, P = 0.048). The ETV group also had a shorter intensive care unit stay; however, the difference was not significant (1.2 vs. 2.8; P = 0.188). ETV was effective in alleviating symptoms of postoperative hydrocephalus in patients with midbrain-invading tumors. ConclusionEndoscopic surgery via the SCITA can address both tumor and hydrocephalus issues in some cases but has a higher surgical risk and postoperative hydrocephalus rate. Preoperative ETV can prevent these complications and improve postoperative outcomes.

Predicting endoscopic third ventriculostomy success in pediatric shunt dysfunction: a monocentric retrospective case series of 70 consecutive children, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

The outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in children who had previously received shunts and who were experiencing shunt dysfunction is still discussed in terms of efficacy (success rate from 40% to 80%) and safety (0%-32.5% of complications). Reported predictive factors of secondary ETV failure are age, early onset of hydrocephalus, and prematurity. The best surgical strategy in the different subgroups of patients with shunt dysfunction is still debated. Therefore, the authors aimed to identify subgroups of patients in whom shunt treatment was associated with favorable outcome of ETV, to define the role of ETV in patients with global rostral midbrain dysfunction syndrome. This study was a monocentric retrospective case series and a meta-analysis of children who had previously received shunts and who underwent secondary ETV for shunt dysfunction between 2012 and 2022. Clinical and MRI features were examined, along with surgical outcome, etiology of hydrocephalus, and preoperative ETV Success Score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find predictors of outcome of secondary ETV. Youden's J index was calculated on age distribution to find an optimal age cutoff. Systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis were performed according to the PRISMA statement. Seventy consecutive patients were included. The overall success rate of secondary ETV was 63%. Primary obstructive hydrocephalus, age ≥ 36 months, and the presence of aqueductal obstruction were predictors of ETV success. Multivariate analysis found that age < 36 months, primary inflammatory hydrocephalus, and presence of fourth ventricular obstruction were associated with ETV failure. All patients with global rostral midbrain dysfunction syndrome experienced clinical and radiological improvement after ETV. The meta-analysis showed that postinflammatory etiology and age < 36 months were predictors of ETV failure. ETV is safe and effective for children with obstructive hydrocephalus experiencing shunt dysfunction, notably in cases of primary obstructive hydrocephalus with aqueductal stenosis, and among children whose age was ≥ 36 months who had postinflammatory hydrocephalus.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for the management of hydrocephalus secondary to posterior fossa tumors: A retrospective study.

Background: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an effective alternative to ventriculoperitoneal shunting as well as external ventricular drainage for the urgent management of acute hydrocephalus. We performed this study to investigate the efficacy and safety of ETV before tumor resection in managing hydrocephalus in patients with posterior fossa brain tumors (PFBT) in our neurosurgery department.Methods: We conducted this retrospective observational study between February 2018 and February 2020 on all cases diagnosed with PFBT associated with triventricular obstructive hydrocephalus. We retrospectively reviewed the demographic characteristics, operative procedures, and radiological investigations of all cases. During the follow-up period, clinical, as well as radiological success were evaluated.Results: Twenty-two ETV procedures were performed in 22 cases of PFBT (mean age = 22.1 years, SD = 11.4). Of the 22 cases, 8 cases (36.4%) had ependymoma, 7 cases (31.8%) had cerebellar astrocytoma, and 5 cases (22.7 %) had medulloblastoma, while 2 cases (9.1%) had diffuse pontine gliomas. The median follow-up duration was 9 months (range 3–13 months). The most commonly reported clinical presentation was the significant intracranial pressure increase. All operations were performed successfully in all cases. Only two ETV post-tumor resection failures were documented during the follow-up period.Conclusion: Preoperative ETV has shown to be an effective long-term cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure to manage PFBT-associated hydrocephalus, with a relatively low rate of complications. Further prospective studies are required to assess the regular use of ETV before complete tumor resection.

NS-31ENDOSCOPIC THIRD VENTRICULOCISTERNOSTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS IN CHILDREN WITH POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMORS

NS-31. ENDOSCOPIC THIRD VENTRICULOCISTERNOSTOMY FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS IN CHILDREN WITH POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMORS Oscar Garcia-Gonzalez1,2 and Paola Hernandez-Ponce2; Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajio, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; Hospital Aranda de la Parra, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico OBJECTIVE: Retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) performed in children with posterior fossa tumors and hydrocephalus in an attempt to classify the selected cases who could benefit from ETV as a permanent CSF diversion procedure. METHODS: During the period between February 2013 and February 2016, 9 patients with posterior fossa tumors and associated hydrocephalus were treated inside the Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajio and Hospital Aranda de la Parra in Leon, Mexico, with ETV in order to relieve the increased intracranial pressure while awaiting their definite tumor surgery. RESULTS: ETV was successful in relieving hydrocephalus clinically and radiologically in 6 patients with different posterior fossa pathologies. In the other 3 cases, preoperative ETV failed in permanently resolving hydrocephalus and patients required the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt after their posterior fossa surgery and during their follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: ETV should be considered as an alternative procedure to VP shunt in controlling severe hydrocephalus related to posterior fossa tumors, to relieve symptoms during the preoperative period while patients await their definite tumor excision. Eliminates the risks of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection related to external drainage. Since preoperative hydrocephalus is veryoften physicallyobstructive,ETV shouldalways be considered a possible treatment procedure. Neuro-Oncology 18:iii127–iii134, 2016. doi:10.1093/neuonc/now078.31 #The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Tumor Obstructive Hydrocephalus Treated with Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Cameroon

The goal of this work was to report on a series of preoperative endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) performed for obstructive hydrocephalus due to posterior fossa tumors. Eight patients underwent preoperative ETV prior to tumor biopsy or removal for obstructive hydrocephalus related to posterior fossa tumors. All patients underwent surgery in two steps; ETV followed a week later by tumor resection. Clinical, radiological and outcome data were retrospectively reviewed. Eight patients (6 males, 2 females) aged between 8 and 45 years (mean age 24.62 years) suffering from obstructive hydrocephalus due to posterior fossa tumors had ETV prior to tumor removal or biopsy. Five patients were adults while 3 were under 18 years. All patients complained of headaches, seven presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure or visual disturbances and four had vomiting or cerebellar disturbance. Computed tomography scan was done in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging in five. Complete tumor removal was achieved in 4 cases and partial removal or biopsy in the remaining 4. ETV was successful in 7 (87.50%) cases but failed in one. Two patients experienced intraoperative transitory bradycardia. Two postoperative complications occurred (one meningitis and one CSF leak). No death related to procedures occurred. The histological diagnosis were as follows: ependymoma (3), medulloblastoma (3), astrocytoma grade II (1) and pineoblastoma (1). Hospital stay ranged from 9 to 21 days (mean, 12.71 days). Follow up range was 4 months to 78.4 months (0.33 to 6.53 years; mean, 46.11 months (3.84 years); median, 41.2 months (3.43 years).

Closure of endoscopic third ventriculostomy after surgery for posterior cranial fossa tumor: The “snow globe effect”

The management of obstructive hydrocephalus associated to posterior cranial fossa tumor remains a controversial issue. In this context, the role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) performed before tumor removal (the so-called preoperative ETV) is debated and its success rate is reported as being largely variable in the literature.We describe two children who experienced the closure of a preoperatively performed ETV after the surgical resection of their posterior fossa tumor. In both cases tumor removal was performed in the prone position. Radiological investigations and intraoperative evidence documented that the failure of the ETV was due to a blood clot which directly occluded the stoma.We speculate that the prone position favored the migration of blood, through the aqueduct, thereafter, clotting on the most declivous part of the third ventricle once the patient assumed the upright position, with the consequent occlusion of the stoma. Based on a gravitational hypothesis, we named this mechanism the “snow globe effect.”

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy before tumor surgery in children with posterior fossa tumors, CCHE experience

This is a retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) performed in children with posterior fossa tumors and hydrocephalus in an attempt to classify the selected cases who could benefit from ETV as a permanent CSF diversion procedure. During the period between January 2008 and December 2008, 40 patients with posterior fossa tumors and associated hydrocephalus were treated inside the Children's Cancer Hospital, Egypt (CCHE)-with ETV in order to relieve the increased intracranial pressure while awaiting their definite tumor surgery. ETV was successful in relieving hydrocephalus clinically and radiologically in 26 patients with different posterior fossa pathologies, with the highest success rate in glioma (100%), followed by 50% in ependymoma and 47.6% in medulloblatoma. In the other 14 cases, preoperative ETV failed in permanently resolving hydrocephalus and patients required the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt after their posterior fossa surgery and during their follow-up period. ETV should be considered as an alternative procedure to VP shunt in controlling severe hydrocephalus related to posterior fossa tumors, to relieve symptoms quickly during the preoperative period while patients await their definite tumor excision. Patients with ependymomas and gliomas, with totally excised tumors, are better candidates for ETV than those with medulloblastomas. However, ETV cannot always prevent postoperative hydrocephalus in all cases of posterior fossa tumor, the thing that makes using postoperative VP shunt an alternative.

Antibiotic impregnated external ventricular drainage and third ventriculostomy in the management of hydrocephalus associated with posterior cranial fossa tumours

The effectiveness of antibiotic pre-treated ventricular catheters in reducing the risk of CSF infections (determined on CSF cultures) resulting from the use of per-operative external ventricular drainages (EVD) and the success rate of post-operative endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in the management of persistent hydrocephalus after posterior cranial fossa tumour removal are assessed. Forty-seven children (group I) were prospectively managed by means of per-operative antibiotic impregnated EVD, post-operative ICP monitoring, and ETV. The results of this group were compared with those of a control group composed by 44 children treated with the same protocol as above except for the use of not-impregnated catheters (group II). The rate of positive CSF cultures due to EVD resulted significantly lower in group I (2.1% vs 31.8%); there was no clinical evidence of CSF infections. The success rate of ETV was the same in both groups (75%). Failures of ETV occurred in the patients with subarachnoid tumour seeding and/or tumour extension to the basal cisterns. All the children of group II with failed ETV also showed a bacterial growth in the CSF. Antibiotic pre-treated catheters in our experience considerably limited EVD-related bacterial growth in the CSF. Preoperative hydrocephalus resolved in 60% of the cases after tumour removal, thus confirming recent data from the literature against the routine use of preoperative ETV. In our experience postoperative ETV had a high success rate; poor results were obtained in children with tumour seeding and/or the evidence of positive CSF cultures.

Persistent hydrocephalus after early surgical management of posterior fossa tumors in children: is routine preoperative endoscopic third ventriculostomy justified?

The authors evaluate the incidence of persistent hydrocephalus after early surgical management of pediatric posterior fossa tumors and the indicators for routine preoperative endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Between 1989 and 2004, 160 children with a posterior fossa tumor were treated at Erasme Hospital in Brussels, Belgium. Hydrocephalus was present at admission in 114 of the patients. Thirty-one patients had severe hydrocephalus (Evans index [EI] > 0.4). Twenty-four of these and the 83 patients with mild hydrocephalus (EI between 0.3 and 0.4) were treated with early posterior fossa surgery (Group 1; 107 patients). In this group, 93 patients underwent a total or subtotal tumor resection associated with external ventricular drainage (Group 1A), and 14 underwent a stereotactic biopsy associated with an ETV (Group 1B). The 53 remaining patients underwent elective posterior fossa surgery (Group 2). Early tumor resection (Group 1A) resolved hydrocephalus in 85 (91%) of 93 patients, whereas an ETV resolved intracranial hypertension in 11 patients (Group 1B). In Group 1, persistent hydrocephalus affected 11 (10%) of 107 patients, seven of whom had symptoms and were treated (three with shunts and four with ETVs). Persistent hydrocephalus was more frequent in children with severe preoperative hydrocephalus (p = 0.002) and with medulloblastomas (p = 0.0154). A total of 22 technically successful ETV procedures were performed. The ETV success rate for controlling hydrocephalus was 81% (18 of 22) and the rate of severe complications was 9% (two of 22). An ETV is an efficient procedure for controlling hydrocephalus associated with posterior fossa tumor. The authors confirm that a routine postoperative ETV is indicated for treating persistent hydrocephalus. For preventing it, however, they recommend early posterior fossa surgery whenever possible. The low rate of persistent hydrocephalus does not justify adopting routine preoperative ETVs.