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Endoscopic surgery for monoventricular hydrocephalus
M Gangemi1, F Maiuri, P A Donati
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Background:
Monoventricular hydrocephalus is usually treated with extrathecal shunting. However, today endoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum seems to be a very useful and less invasive technique.
Methods:
Five patients with monoventricular hydrocephalus have been treated with neuroendoscopic techniques. In three cases with an excluded lateral ventricle due to contralateral shunt overdrainage, the normal-sized ventricle was first cannulated and fenestration of the septum pellucidum from the normal to the enlarged lateral ventricle was performed.
Results:
Complete remission of intracranial hypertension symptoms and decrease in size of the enlarged ventricle were observed in all five patients.
Conclusions:
Endoscopic fenestration of the septum pellucidum is the technique of choice for treating monoventricular hydrocephalus. We advise first cannulating the normal lateral ventricle and then performing a septostomy from it to the enlarged ventricle. This approach allows one to easily recognize the protruding septum pellucidum and perform fenestration without difficulty using a direct trajectory. In exceptional cases of choroid plexus cyst obstructing one foramen of Monro, fenestration of the cyst wall is sufficient.