Anatomy of the cerebral ventricular system for endoscopic neurosurgery: a magnetic resonance study

Endoscopy has developed into an integral part of minimally invasive neurosurgery. For further technological innovations, detailed knowledge about the pathological anatomy is essential. The gross anatomy of the cerebral ventricular system has been meticulously investigated with ventriculography and casts. Extensive volumetric measurements based on neuroradiological images have been performed, but only little is known about the surgically relevant linear distances in patients with hydrocephalus.

Thirty healthy volunteers and thirty patients suffering from hydrocephalus were scanned with high-resolution 3-D magnetic resonance imaging sequences. The image volumes were sliced identically with the help of Siemens Prominence software. Individual anatomical measurements of the ventricular system were carried out, mean values and standard deviations were calculated, and different endoscopic approaches were investigated.

In healthy volunteers the measurements confirmed the results obtained from ventriculography and anatomic casts. In hydrocephalic patients the ventricular system was found to be enlarged asymmetrically. The optimal neuroendoscopic approach showed considerable, interindividual variation.

This 3-D magnetic resonance imaging study revealed surgically and clinically relevant aspects of the pathologic anatomy of hydrocephalic patients, in comparison to healthy volunteers. Individualized planning of the endoscopic approach appears to be warranted. Finally, the data provided a sound basis for the further development of neuroendoscopes.