Abstract
Background:
The main purpose of this project is to define the major indications, preferences,
techniques, limitations, and complications associated with intraventricular tumor
removal using purely endoscopic techniques.
Methods:
Published papers on neuroendoscopy were reviewed, and a questionnaire about purely
endoscopic surgery for intraventricular brain tumors was designed. The questionnaire
included details regarding neuroendoscopic techniques, surgeons’ endoscopic experience,
and clinical vignettes. 20 experienced neuroendoscopists from the 10 represented countries
were surveyed.
Results:
15 physicians (75%) responded to the survey, having an estimated 264 cumulative years
of endoscopic experience. There was general agreement regarding: the instrumentation
used, endoscope features, irrigation, technique of colloid cyst and solid intraventricular
tumor removal, complications, future technologies, and the treatment of sample clinical
vignettes. There was appreciable variability in endoscope control preferences.
Conclusions:
Endoscopic intraventricular surgery is a feasible minimally invasive alternative to
open transcranial surgery for specific ventricular tumors. With the currently available
instrumentation, the technique can be applied to small avascular solid intraventriclular
tumors and colloid cysts of the third ventricle. The majority of the complications
are based on hemostasis potential. The development of compatible instrumentation with
an enhanced ability for solid tumor removal and more adequate hemostasis appear to
be the principle limitations in furthering the technique of endoscopic removal of
intraventricular brain tumors.
Key words
endoscopy - intraventricular brain tumors - colloid cysts - third ventricle - lateral
ventricle - minimally invasive surgery
