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Spontaneous ventriculostomy in a patient with obstructive hydrocephalus
L J Kim1, I Feiz-Erfan, R E Clatterbuck
1Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Background:
Spontaneous ventriculostomy related to progressive obstructive hydrocephalus is rare. Radiologic demonstration of such a phenomenon can be delineated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cine MRI.
Case Presentation:
A 59-year-old woman with a known tectal glioma and symptoms of chronic hydrocephalus developed progressively worsening headaches. During follow-up, she noted spontaneous relief of her headaches. Follow-up cine MRI demonstrated a spontaneous ventriculostomy via the floor of the third ventricle.
Interpretation:
Clinicians should be aware of spontaneous ventriculostomy demonstrable on cine MRI because it may obviate the need for a CSF diversion procedure.
