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Background and Objectives: CSF shunt placement for hydrocephalus and other etiologies has arguably been the most life-saving intervention in pediatric neurosurgery in the past 6 decades. Yet, chronic shunting remains a source of morbidity for patients of all ages. Neuroendoscopic surgery has made shunt independence possible for newly diagnosed hydrocephalic patients. In this study, we examine the prospects of shunt independence with or without endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in chronically shunted patients., Methods: After IRB approval, a retrospective analysis was completed on patients whose shunt was ligated or removed to achieve shunt independence, with or without ETV. Clinical and imaging data were collected., Results: Eighty-eight patients with CSF shunts had their shunt either ligated or removed, 57 of whom had a concomitant ETV. Original reasons for shunting included: congenital hydrocephalus 20 (23%), post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) of prematurity 14 (16%), aqueductal stenosis 10 (11%), intracranial cyst 8 (9%), tumor 8 (9%), infantile subdural hematomas 8 (9%), myelomeningocele 7 (8%), post-traumatic hydrocephalus 7 (8%) and post-infectious hydrocephalus 6 (7%). The decision to perform a simultaneous ETV was made based on etiology. Forty-nine (56%) patients became shunt independent. The success rate was 46% in the ETV group and 73% in the no ETV group. Using multivariate analysis and Cox Proportional Hazards models, age > 4 months at shunt placement (p = 0.032), no shunt revisions (p = 0.01), select etiologies (p = 0.043), and ETVSS > 70 (in the ETV group) (p = 0.017), were protective factors for shunt independence., Conclusion: Considering the long-term complications of shunting, achieving shunt independence may provide hope for improved quality of life. While this study is underpowered, it provides pilot data identifying factors that predict shunt independence in chronically shunted patients, namely age, absence of prior shunt revision, etiology, and in the ETV group, the ETVSS., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Congenital hydrocephalus in infants treated with ETV has variable results in literature. We studied some supposed clinicoradiological parameters which though are considered vital in deciding operative management and have never been thoroughly studied to establish a well-defined association. Aim and objective: To evaluate the influence of clinicoradiological profile and intraoperative findings over the outcome of ETV done in infants for congenital hydrocephalus. Materials and methods: All infants who underwent ETV in King George's Medical University, Lucknow, from January 2019 to February 2020 for congenital hydrocephalus were included. Their clinical, radiological, operative data was gathered. Infants were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months after ETV. ETV success was defined as stabilization of abnormal head growth with resolution of symptoms of raised ICP and no requirement of shunt surgery 6 months post-ETV. All the clinicoradiological and intraoperative factors were statistically correlated with the final outcome. Results: Forty infants were operated for congenital hydrocephalus during the study period in our institution. Failure rate was higher in children younger than 3 months (p value of 0.04). Increase in head size was present in all 40 cases and bulging anterior fontanelle in 95% cases. Success rate of ETV at 1, 3, and 6 months was 62.5%, 40%, and 35%. Most of failure occurred within 3 months after the procedure. Expiry rate at 1, 3, and 6 month was 15%, 17.5%, and 17.5%. None of the intraoperative findings significantly correlated with the final outcome. Conclusion: ETV can be a luring treatment of congenital hydrocephalus in infants but has limited success rate because of the dependency of procedure on well-formed arachnoid villi for absorption. It also carries minimal risk of fatal complications like CSF leak and meningitis associated with it. Age is the only factor which truly reflects the outcome of the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus has higher failure rates in younger patients. Here we investigate the impact of select perioperative variables, specifically gestational age, chronological age, birth weight, and surgical weight, on ETV failure rates. A retrospective review was performed on patients treated with ETV - with or without choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) - from 2010 to 2021 at a large academic center. Analyses included Cox regression for independent predictors and Kaplan-Meier survival curves for time to-event outcomes. In total, 47 patients were treated with ETV; of these, 31 received adjunctive CPC. Overall, 66% of the cohort experienced ETV failure with a median failure of 36 days postoperatively. Patients aged < 6 months at time of surgery experienced 80% failure rate, and those > 6 months at time of surgery experienced a 41% failure rate. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed weight at the time of ETV surgery was significantly inversely associated with ETV failure with a hazard ratio of 0.92 (95% CI 0.82, 0.99). Multivariate analysis redemonstrated the inverse association of weight at time of surgery with ETV failure with hazard ratio of 0.76 (95% CI 0.60, 0.92), and sensitivity analysis showed < 4.9 kg as the optimal cutoff predicting ETV/CPC failure. Neither chronologic age nor gestational age were found to be significantly associated with ETV failure.In this study, younger patients experienced higher ETV failure rates, but multivariate regression found that weight was a more robust predictor of ETV failure than chronologic age or gestational age, with an optimal cutoff of 4.9 kg in our small cohort. Given the limited sample size, further study is needed to elucidate the independent role of weight as a peri-operative variable in determining ETV candidacy in young infants. Previous presentations: Poster Presentation, Congress of Neurological Surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a standard treatment in hydrocephalus of certain aetiologies. The most widely used predictive model is the ETV success score. This is frequently used to predict outcomes following ETV in adult patients; however, this was a model developed in paediatric patients with often distinct aetiologies of hydrocephalus. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of the model and to identify factors that influence ETV outcomes in adults. Methods: A retrospective study design was used to analyse consecutive patients who underwent ETV at a tertiary neurosurgical centre between 2012 and 2020. Observed ETV outcomes at 6 months were compared to pre-operative predicted ETV success scores. A multivariable Bayesian logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors that best predicted ETV success and those factors that were redundant. Results: A total of 136 patients were analysed during the 9-year study. Thirty-one patients underwent further cerebrospinal fluid diversion within 6 months. The overall ETV success rate was 77%. Observed ETV outcomes corresponded well with predicted outcomes using the ETV success score for the higher scores, but less well for lower scores. Location of obstruction at the aqueduct irrespective of aetiology was the best predictor of success with odds of 1.65 of success. Elective procedures were also associated with higher success compared to urgent ones, whereas age under 70, nature and location of obstructive lesion (other than aqueductal) did not influence ETV success. Conclusion: ETV was successful in three-quarters of adult patient with hydrocephalus within 6 months. Obstruction at the level of the aqueduct of any aetiology was a good predictor of ETV success. Clinicians should bear in mind that adult hydrocephalus responds differently to ETV compared to paediatric hydrocephalus, and more research is required to develop and validate an adult-specific predictive tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although controversial, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in the management of Myelomeningocele and Chiari type II malformation-related hydrocephalous is gaining wider popularity and use. With variable success rates, it can be proposed as a first or second option after shunt malfunction. ETV in postinfectious hydrocephalus may also be considered as an alternative to shunting. With reported success rates of 50-60%, failure is attributed to anatomical reasons and/or to pathological subarachnoid space scarring that may result from infectious processes. Similarly, ETV in repeated shunt malfunctions is an acceptable option that may offer shunt independency. In all situations, case-by-case selection and discussion are to be considered. Case Description: A 5-year-old boy with a history of surgically treated lumbosacral myelomeningocele and ventriculoperitoneal shunting at six months of age is presented. During the course following the initial surgery, he experienced multiple shunt malfunctions, with two episodes of meningitis, leading to 7 shunt revision surgeries. Lately, the patient presented a large peritoneal cyst formation that needed regular evacuations. With a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-scan showing a large bi-ventricular hydrocephalus and a trapped third ventricle with multiple septations, surgical options included either ventriculoatrial shunting or third ventriculostomy. The latter option, offering shunt independency, was chosen after family consent and risk explanation. The expected success rate of the procedure was discussed and evaluated to 40-60% on the ETV success score. The video describes a step-by-step procedure with detailed radiological and correlated anatomical annotations of a completely distorted anatomy of a multifactorial hydrocephalous. No scarring at the prepontine cistern was observed. Shunt independency was achieved. However, the patient died from late postoperative status epilepticus and pulmonary complications. Whether these postoperative events are directly related to the procedure is unclear, although technically and clinically successful in the short term. Conclusion: We believe that ETV should be carefully indicated in selected patients with Chiari II, post-infectious hydrocephalus, by experienced hands, as the surgical anatomy can be extremely complex and misleading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, a rare vascular anomaly, rarely presents with hydrocephalus. The traditional treatment for hydrocephalus is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Conventional endoscopic third ventriculostomy can avoid shunt-related complications but is considered risky due to the presence of the dolichoectatic vessel. A subfrontal extra-axial fenestration of the lamina terminalis can circumvent this anatomic constraint and establish cerebrospinal fluid communication between the third ventricle and subarachnoid space. We performed an extra-axial endoscopic third ventriculostomy to manage hydrocephalus due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia in a 26-year-old male. The clinical description, surgical technique, outcome, and rationale are described. The patient had symptomatic improvement in his headaches and vision. There was also improvement in the postoperative ventricular indices: Evans index—19% reduction, frontal occipital horn ratio—14.1% reduction, and third ventricle index—39.5% reduction. A cine-phase magnetic resonance image showed cerebrospinal fluid flow void through the lamina terminalis fenestration, suggesting patency. Extra-axial endoscopic third ventriculostomy may be a suitable treatment alternative to circumvent anatomic constraints produced by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia in performing conventional endoscopic third ventriculostomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is becoming a rare illness in industrialized nations, but it is still widespread in underdeveloped nations. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery is the GOLD Standard and is time tested procedure. Shunts, however, are associated with multiple problems. Material and Method: This is an observational study that compares the outcome of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) with Ventriculoperitoneal shunt in patients of TBM with hydrocephalus at a 6-month follow-up. This study was done at a single tertiary care center. Data was collected from the patient records as per selection criteria. 100 consecutive cases in each ETV and Shunt group fulfilling selection criteria were included in the study. The two procedures were compared for their clinical outcome based on modified Vellore grade at 6 months of follow-up. Discussion: Evaluation of outcome at 6 months revealed an overall success rate of 68.5%. The success rate was higher for shunt (71%) as compared to ETV (66 %). However, the difference between the two groups was not significant statistically. For children with advanced TBM and elevated ICP, shunt surgery may not be necessary. While some authors have considered the potential of delaying surgery for these kids, others have argued that even a single positive outcome warrants shunt placement for every kid with tuberculous hydrocephalus. Conclusion: In pediatric cases of TBM with Hydrocephalus ETV should be considered as a first-line treatment in lower grades of TBM. Though for definitive comparison, a long-term randomized study is needed, and the study to look into factors responsible for the failure of ETV in TBM cases needs to be identified to formulate an ETV success score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery (VPS) are used for the surgical management of pediatric hydrocephalus. There is controversy regarding the safety and efficacy of these procedures according to age, etiologies, and type of hydrocephalus. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of ETV and VPS in pediatric hydrocephalus and to evaluate the better procedure. Material and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the pediatric hydrocephalus cases that were operated by ETV and VPS at our department from June 2016 to June 2019. Data were analyzed with respect to the etiology of hydrocephalus, age, and gender of the patients. We compared the outcomes (success and failure) depending on age at surgery, etiology, and type of hydrocephalus, complications at 12 months of follow-up. Fisher's exact test and chi-square test were applied to test the significance of difference. Results There were 195 pediatric hydrocephalus cases, which were operated by ETV (n = 43; 22.05%) and VPS (n = 152; 77.95%). The mean age of the cases was 53.63 ± 60.24 (ranged 0.5–204 months) in the ETV group and 53.44 ± 54.10 (ranged 0.3–210 months) in the VPS group. The male-to-female ratio was 1.41:1 in the ETV group and 1.21: 1 in the VPS group. Overall, ETV had successful outcomes in 30(69.77%) cases and VPS in 102(67.11%) cases at 12 months of follow-up. The complication rates were found in 7 (16.28%) cases in the ETV group and 38 (25.0%) cases in the VPS group. At initial 0.5 months of follow-up, ETV required revisions in 6 (13.95%) cases and VPS in 15 (9.87%) cases. Conclusion Although the success and failure of both the procedure vary according to the age at surgery, etiology and type of hydrocephalus, and complications, and failure rates on follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the two surgical groups in respect to these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we aimed to describe some of the currently most challenging problems in neurosurgical management of hydrocephalus and how these can be reasons for inspiration for and development of research. We chose 4 areas of focus: 2 dedicated to improvement of current treatments (shunt implant surgery and endoscopic hydrocephalus surgery) and 2 dedicated to emerging future treatment principles (molecular mechanisms of cerebrospinal fluid secretion and hydrocephalus genetics). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Until recent breakthroughs in neuroendoscopy, the ventriculoperitonal (VP) shunt remained the mainstay of hydrocephalus therapy. However, shunt complications, including obstruction, infection and overshunting are frequent. Getting out of the siege of VP shunt is the dream of those patients. Objective: This study aimed to present our experience in managing VP shunt complications by endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and shunt removal. Patients and Methods: We reviewed 18 consecutive patients during the period from January 2017 to December 2020 with different ventriculoperitonal shunt complications. The authors retrospectively evaluated the causes, preoperative symptoms, and postoperative results for those patients who underwent ETV and shunt removal for management of shunt complications. Results: There were 11 males and 7 females with mean age of 12.9 years old. The mean shunt duration was 8 years. Shunts were unilateral (15 cases) or bilateral (3 cases). Shunt complications included: shunt obstruction (9 cases), shunt infection (8 cases) and overshunting (1 case). ETV was done in all cases with septostomy in 7 cases. The mean follow up period was 15 months during which, 15 patients were shunt independent while three patients needed new shunts within the first postoperative month. While transient CSF leak occurred in 4 cases, there was no mortality in this series. Conclusion: Removing a VP shunt and replacing it with ETV with or without septostomy is a possible option in managing shunt complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  The aim of this study was to do a retrospective analysis of the various neurosurgical pathologies where endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was used and to evaluate the outcome and prognosis. Methods  The retrospective data collection was done for the patients who underwent ETV with or without other adjunct procedures; the results were prepared for clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical approach, and surgical goal; and success rate and prognosis were analyzed and compared with other studies. Results  A total of 50 patients were included in the study, with overall success rate of ETV as 88%; aqueductal stenosis was the most common indication where ETV was used; headache and vomiting were the most common presenting complaints followed by ataxia and visual blurring; and ETV provided flexibility in its use with biopsy, abscess drainage, temporary external ventricular drain placement, etc. Conclusion  ETV being superior to ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for obstructive hydrocephalus provides flexibility in its use and possibly is a useful adjunct to prevent postoperative hydrocephalus after endoscopic intraventricular surgery; proper case selection in accordance to ETV success score yields a better success rate. In experienced hands with proper precautions, perioperative complications can be kept at minimum. Wherever possible, in cases of obstructive hydrocephalus, especially in patients >1 year of age, ETV should be the treatment of choice. We recommend a proper case selection, including preoperative detailed reading of sagittal magnetic resonance imaging scan, to improve the success rate with less complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydrocephalus is an abnormal excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavity and spaces of the brain. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been an established treatment modality for congenital hydrocephalus. However, in very young infants, the results are challenging. In our study, we have evaluated whether ETV really offers an acceptable complication-free postoperative course.Objective: To study the complication and mortality rate in infants having congenital hydrocephalus treated with ETV.Materials and Methods: This is a single-center prospective study conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, K. G. M. U, Lucknow, from January 2019 to February 2020. We studied 40 infants presenting with clinical and radiological features suggestive of congenital hydrocephalus. Follow-up was done at the first, third, and sixth months after discharge.Results: Nineteen infants (47.5%) required a second CSF diversion procedure at 6 months of follow-up. The failure rate was significantly higher in infants less than 3 months of age (P value of 0.04). The ETV site bulge was the most frequent complication encountered in the postoperative period, occurring in 20% of the cases. Eventually, all these infants required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt; 15% developed clinical features consistent with the diagnosis of post-ETV meningitis. The ETV site CSF leak occurred in 10% of the patients. Subdural hygroma developed in 7.5% of the patients; 17.5% of the patients contributed to mortality with a mean time of expiry of 22 days post-procedure. All these deaths had multifactorial causes and could not be said as a complication or failure of ETV.Conclusion: We do not recommend ETV for infants less than 3 months because of a high failure rate. The ETV site bulge was the most reliable and earliest marker of failure and a second CSF diversion surgery should be immediately considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) is increasingly being accepted as the treatment of choice in place of Ventriculo-Peritoneal (VP) Shunt for hydrocephalus. However, their differences in cognitive and Quality of Life (QOL) scores have not been studied much in children.Objective: To compare the outcome, cognitive function, and QOL between ETV and VP shunt.Methods: Patients of non-tumor hydrocephalus treated with ETV or/and VP shunt underwent cognitive assessment (using modified child MMSE standardized as per the age group) and QOL (using PedsQL as per the age group in Physical, Emotional, Social, and School Functioning domains) in addition to the outcome of not requiring additional intervention.Results: Out of 139 patients, there were 29 infants and 40 children upto 14 years. Among these children, ETV was the primary intervention in 45, VP shunt in 24, and could be studied for a mean follow-up of 1.7 years. Though ETV required lesser additional intervention than VP shunt (19.2% vs. 28.6%) in toddlers and older children, there was no overall significant difference. Subnormal cognitive scores were noted in 25%, 40%, and 50% after ETV, single shunt procedure, and multiple shunt procedures, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. Among the different domains of QOL, the child reported scores in the social domain were significantly better after ETV than VP shunt (475[+13] vs. 387[+43], P value 0.03), whereas most other scores were non-significantly better following ETV.Conclusion: Patients who underwent ETV show a trend for better clinical outcome, cognitive function, and QOL with significantly better child-reported QOL scores in the social domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pineal region tumors commonly present with non-communicating hydrocephalus. These heterogeneous histological entities require different therapeutic regimens. We evaluated our surgical experience concerning procurance of a histological diagnosis, management of hydrocephalus, and choice of antitumoral treatment. We analyzed the efficacy of neuroendoscopic biopsy and endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy (ETV) in patients with pineal region tumors between 2006 and 2019 in a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study with regard to diagnostic yield, hydrocephalus treatment, as well as impact on further antitumoral management. Out of 28 identified patients, 23 patients presented with untreated hydrocephalus and 25 without histological diagnosis. One patient underwent open biopsy, and 24 received a neuroendoscopic biopsy with concomitant hydrocephalus treatment if necessary. Eighteen primary ETVs, 2 secondary ETVs, and 2 ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs) were performed. Endoscopic biopsy had a diagnostic yield of 95.8% (23/24) and complication rates of 12.5% (transient) and 4.2% (permanent), respectively. ETV for hydrocephalus management was successful in 89.5% (17/19) with a median follow-up of more than 3 years. Following histological diagnosis, 8 patients (28.6%) underwent primary resection of their tumor. Another 9 patients underwent later-stage resection after either adjuvant treatment (n = 5) or for progressive disease during observation (n = 4). Eventually, 20 patients received adjuvant treatment and 7 were observed after primary management. One patient was lost to follow-up. Heterogeneity of pineal region tumor requires histological confirmation. Primary biopsy of pineal lesions should precede surgical resection since less than a third of patients needed primary surgical resection according to the German pediatric brain tumor protocols. Interdisciplinary decision making upfront any treatment is warranted in order to adequately guide treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the success rate of repeat endoscopic third ventriculostomy (redo-ETV) according to pattern of ventriculostoma closure based on observations in 97 paediatric redo-ETV patients. Methods: Clinical data and intraoperative video recordings of 97 paediatric hydrocephalus patients who underwent redo-ETV due to ventriculostoma closure at two institutions were retrospectively analysed. We excluded patients with a history of intraventricular haemorrhage, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection or CSF shunt surgery and those with incompletely penetrated membranes during the initial ETV. Results: Verification of ventriculostoma closure was confirmed with cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging and classified into 3 types: type 1, total closure of the ventriculostoma by gliosis or scar tissue that results in a non-translucent/opaque third ventricle floor; type 2, narrowing/closure of the ventriculostoma by newly formed translucent/semi-transparent membranes; and type 3, presence of a patent ventriculostoma orifice with CSF flow blockage by newly formed reactive membranes or arachnoidal webs in the basal cisterns. The overall success rate of redo-ETV was 37.1%. The success rates of redo-ETV according to closure type were 25% for type 1, 43.6% for type 2 and 38.2% for type 3. The frequency of type 1 ventriculostoma closure was significantly higher in patients with myelomeningocele-related hydrocephalus. Conclusion: For patients with ventriculostoma closure after ETV, reopening of the stoma can be performed. Our findings regarding the frequencies of ventriculostoma closure types and the success rate of redo-ETV in paediatric patients according to ventriculostoma closure type are preliminary and should be verified by future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a safe alternative to ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for certain cases of obstructive hydrocephalus. It has the advantage of not leaving a permanent foreign body in-situ, besides preventing over-drainage and reducing chances of infection. A thorough knowledge of endoscopic anatomy of ventricles is a must for performing various endoscopic procedures.Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the endoscopic anatomy of ventricles for educational purpose.Procedure: ETV is done using a zero-degree LOTTA endoscope. Right Kocher's point is usually chosen as entry site into ventricle. The scope is negotiated into third ventricle through foramen of Monro. The premammillary membrane is perforated and dilated, thereby communicating the third ventricle to the chiasmatic, interpeduncular and prepontine cisterns. The video was recorded on Karl Storz recording system. It was edited using Imovie software. Photographs labeling was done using Windows PowerPoint 2018.Conclusion: Endoscopic anatomy knowledge allows a neurosurgeon to perform ETV safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelfoam is a simple and effective hemostatic agent that is used to seal brain corticotomies or skull burr holes. Owing to its low cost, it is one of the most widely used tools in neurosurgical daily practice. However, migration of Gelfoam fragments can cause occlusion of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or shunt, leading to hydrocephalus recurrence. Two cases of Gelfoam migration causing recurrent hydrocephalus are presented: a 12-year-old girl who underwent surgery for posterior fossa tumor removal and ETV for associated hydrocephalus, where a portion of Gelfoam (used to seal the burr hole) migrated up to close the ETV, and a preterm 8-month-old boy who was treated by neuroendoscopic brain lavage and afterward by ventriculoperitoneal shunt for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, where all the Gelfoam used to close the corticotomy migrated into the lateral ventricle, thus reopening the corticotomy and releasing small fragments that ultimately obstructed the shunt. A new endoscopic procedure was required in both patients (the second patient also required a shunt revision). Review of the pertinent literature discloses other complications of Gelfoam migration (e.g., mass effect, granulomatous reaction) as well as other causes of uncommon ETV/shunt obstruction. Nonetheless, Gelfoam will remain an indispensable tool for neurosurgeons. The present report emphasizes the importance of its correct use to avoid complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative judgment who will benefit from endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in infantile hydrocephalus remains controversial and no sufficient clue exists. Although ETV success score (ETVSS) is a useful scale in predicting ETV success in hydrocephalus, its efficacy in infants younger than 1 year old has been limited. This study aimed to verify the efficacy of a newly defined sign, "third ventricle floor bowing (TVFB)," in predicting ETV success in infantile hydrocephalus for the first time and discuss the mechanism of this sign and its clinical meanings. Methods: Between January 2013 and April 2018, hydrocephalic infants (age ≤ 12 months) with third ventricle floor bowing were treated endoscopically in the Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital. The medical records of these patients were reviewed. Additionally, we undertook a detailed review of the reported data on the treatment of infantile hydrocephalus with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Results: A total of 42 infants underwent ETV alone in our institution, with a median age of 7.3 ± 3.8 months. Common etiologies included postinfectious (26.2%), arachnoid cyst (14.3%), aqueductal stenosis (11.9%), and congenital condition (11.9%). The complications included seizure (2.4%), CSF leak (2.4%), and subdural effusion (2.4%). During the average follow-up of 21.7 ± 13.1 months, the ETV success rate predicted by third ventricle floor bowing (TVFB) was 71.4%, which was higher than 6-month success rate predicted by the ETVSS (52.3%). However, it was difficult to reach statistical significance (P = 0.072) due to the limited sample size and further studies with larger sample size were needed. Conclusions: Our study suggests TVFB can serve as a useful method for selecting ETV candidates in infantile hydrocephalus preoperatively. And we speculate that good ventricle compliance and pressure difference between the ventricle and subarachnoid space are essential elements in ensuring ETV success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is the procedure of choice to treat obstructive hydrocephalus now a days. Published case series of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for childhood hydrocephalus have reported widely varying success rates. The purpose of this study is to determine the success rate and complications of ETV for treating obstructive hydrocephalus. Patients with obstructive hydrocephalus and already shunted patients for obstructive hydrocephalus presented with blocked shunt were included in the study. The exclusion criteria consisted ofrecurrent tumor or intra ventricular hemorrhage. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed. Patients were followed up for one year and Clinical and Radiological improvement, complications and mortality was noted. This study was conducted in Neurosurgery Department, Govt. Medical College, Kota between 2015-2016 There were 56 patients including 36 males and 20females. Success rate in the form of clinical and/ or radiological improvement was seen in 88.8% 0f patients. Complications were seen in 6 patients including ETV failure and ventricular hemorrhage. There was no mortality during follow up period of 1 year. ETV is cost effective and safe procedure in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus with good outcome. It may be used as replacement procedure of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt as initial line of management in selected patients based on ETV score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims at generating knowledge to understand the conditions in which either of the two procedures (endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and shunt) are better options and to develop good practice guidelines for the treatment of tubercular meningitis (TBM) hydrocephalus. Methods: This study was conducted on 48 patients in pediatric age group (less than or equal to 18 years) of TBM hydrocephalus. The patients were randomized to one of the cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures (ETV or shunt). The two procedures were compared for their outcome, both radiologically and clinically. Results: Twenty-four cases underwent shunt, out of which 13 (68 %) cases were successful. Twelve (70.3 %) cases belonged to grade 3, while one case was of grade 1. In ETV group, 10 (42 %) cases had a successful outcome, out of which 7 (38.8 %) cases were in grade 3, while 1 case each belonged to grades 1, 2, and 4. Incidence of ETV failure was more in younger age group, i.e., <2 years ( n = 7), while no such correlation with age was found in shunt cases. Conclusion: Though with the present study it looks like that the relative risk of ETV failure is higher than that for shunt, but the risk becomes progressively lower with time. Therefore, if patients survive the early high-risk period, they could experience a long-term survival advantage devoid of life-long shunt-related complications. Though for definitive comparison, a long-term study is needed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This prospective study was designed for intra-operative demonstration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in ventricles and cisternal spaces before and after neuroendoscopic procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate site of obstruction of CSF flow and subsequent stomal or aqueductal patency after endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or aqueductoplasty in patients with hydrocephalus of diverse aetiology. Method. Seventeen patients with hydrocephalus due to diverse aetiology underwent ETV ( n = 15) and aqueductoplasty ( n = 2) or cysto-ventrticulostomy ( n = 1) or transaqueductal removal of neurocysticercus cyst (NCC) ( n = 1). Intra-operatively, radio-opaque contrast agent (iohexol) instillation into the third ventricle was used for qualitative evaluation of obstruction and post-procedure CSF flow across the stoma into cisternal spaces. Result: 11 male and 6 female patients ranging from 3 to 50 years of age were included in the study. Post-procedure intra-operative ventriculo-stomography (IOVSG) showed free flow of dye across the endoscopic stoma ( n = 13) or aqueduct ( n = 2) into cisternal spaces. Diagnosis of fourth ventricular NCC was made in one patient with panventriculomegaly. In two patients of tuberculous meningitis hydrocephalus, poor flow of contrast in the prepontine area and basal cisterns was seen on IOVSG. They were subjected to ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion in the same sitting. Cine MRI confirmed the patency of stoma or aqueduct in follow-up period in all patients with successful endoscopic procedure. Conclusion. IOVSG is a simple and safe technique that helps in confirming the adequacy of endoscopic procedure during surgery and thereby facilitates intra-operative decision about further management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is getting more popular for all types of hydrocephalus. It has several advantages and is also being considered for malfunctioning of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. A 16-year-old child had fourteen shunt revisions in his life. He was eventually treated with ETV with successful result. Repeated shunt failure can be an additional indication of ETV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]