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Spontaneous third ventriculostomy: definition by endoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics
Amit Parmar1, Kristian Aquilina, Michael R Carter
1Department of Neurosurgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|February 10, 2009
Summary
A rare spontaneous ventriculostomy, a hole in the third ventricle floor, was found in a patient with chronic obstructive hydrocephalus. Endoscopic and cerebrospinal fluid studies confirmed its structure and function mimic surgical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Chronic obstructive hydrocephalus can lead to ventricular diverticula and, rarely, spontaneous ventriculostomy.
- Aqueductal stenosis is a common cause of long-standing hydrocephalus.
Observation:
- A case of spontaneous third ventriculostomy in a patient with hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis is presented.
- This spontaneous stoma was located in the floor of the third ventricle.
Findings:
- The spontaneous stoma was evaluated using endoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics studies.
- Both studies demonstrated that the spontaneous stoma is structurally and functionally similar to a surgically created third ventriculostomy.
Implications:
- This finding expands the understanding of potential spontaneous CSF pathways in hydrocephalus.
- It suggests that spontaneous ventriculostomies may play a role in CSF dynamics, similar to surgical interventions.
- Further research could explore the prevalence and clinical significance of such spontaneous formations.
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