Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and Pineal Biopsy from a Single Entry Point
Published on: June 28, 2024
Percutaneous aspiration of spinal terminal ventricle cysts using real-time magnetic resonance imaging and navigation
Shinobu Takahashi1, Yasuo Saruhashi, Seiichi Odate
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan. ts1@rice.ocn.ne.jp
Study Design:
Clinical case series.
Objective:
To present a new innovative treatment option for cysts of the terminal ventricle.
Summary Of Background Data:
Invasive surgery including laminectomy and cyst fenestration has been the sole reported method of treatment for this rare pathology.
Methods:
Four cases of symptomatic cyst of the terminal ventricle of the spinal cord were treated by percutaneous aspiration using real-time guidance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optically-tracking navigation.
Results:
Three patients were treated successfully by this percutaneous method, and for 1 patient the treatment was converted to conventional surgery after a single unsuccessful trial of percutaneous puncture. All patients were relieved of their symptoms without any complication. Follow-up MRI revealed continued shrinkage of the cysts after both surgery and MRI-guided percutaneous fenestration.
Conclusion:
MRI-navigated percutaneous aspiration can be a minimally-invasive treatment option for symptomatic cysts of the terminal ventricle, and therefore, can be indicated before more invasive surgery might be scheduled.
