PubMed · 8515796
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
F A Wood. 1993-07-15. Endoscopic laser third ventriculostomy.. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm199307153290314
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
OBJECT: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of data obtained in a series of 30 patients suffering from multiloculated hydrocephalus and treated endoscopically. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neuroendoscopic treatment as an alternative to the placement of multiple shunts to relieve intracranial hypertension, to simplify the shunt system, and to reduce the high rate of shunt revision. METHODS: The endoscopic procedures included intraventricular septum fenestration, aqueductoplasty, Monro foraminoplasty, and third ventriculostomy. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A included 23 children in whom a shunt was already in place at the time of endoscopy, and Group B included seven children in whom a shunt had never been placed. The control of hydrocephalus by a single shunt placement or the absence of a shunt was achieved in 25 (83.3%) of 30 children. In Group A, five children no longer had shunts, 14 needed a single shunt, three required two shunts, and one required three shunts. The mean preendoscopy shunt revision rate in this group decreased from 2.07/year to 0.35/ year following the endoscopic procedure. Seven patients required endoscopic reoperations (endoscopic reoperation rate 0.31/year, total reoperation rate [shunt revisions plus endoscopic reoperation] 0.66/year). In Group B, three children did not require shunts, three needed a single shunt, and one required two shunts. Two patients required repeated endoscopic surgery (endoscopic reoperation rate 0.19/year), and two patients required shunt revisions (shunt revision rate 0.07/year) (total operation rate 0.26/year). CONCLUSIONS: Neuroendoscopic procedures are a valid alternative to shunt revision in the management of multiloculated hydrocephalus. Early diagnosis comprising close monitoring with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and early treatment are the keys of success.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Transaqueductal navigation of the fourth ventricle has long been considered dangerous and of no clinical relevance. After the refinement of the endoscopic technique and supported by the extensive experience gained at the authors' institution since 1994, endoscopic exploration of the fourth ventricle has been performed by the same surgeon in 54 patients. In all cases reviewed, endoscopic navigation of the fourth ventricle was successfully performed with no related neurological deficit. This preliminary experience shows the feasibility of transaqueductal navigation of the fourth ventricle, which is made possible by the use of small, flexible endoscopes in expert hands.