Neuroendoscopic resection of posterior third ventricular ependymoma. Case report

The practice of neuroendoscopy in the definitive management of cystic tumors and hydrocephalus has been well established. Resection of solid intraventricular tumors by a primary endoscopic technique, however, has rarely been demonstrated. The authors present the case of a 31-year-old woman in whom endoscopic resection of a posterior third ventricular ependymoma was successfully accomplished. Metastatic workup yielded no sites of dissemination, adjuvant radiation therapy was deferred, and the patient has been without radiographic evidence of disease after 6 months of follow up. Endoscopic resection of solid tumors appears feasible in select patients and warrants further evaluation.