Stereotactically guided endoscopic port surgery for intraventricular tumor and colloid cyst resection

Intraventricular lesions are challenging entities that may be difficult to resect completely and safely, especially larger lesions with high vascularity or firm consistency.

To assess the results of stereotactically guided endoscopic port (SEP) surgery for resection of colloid cysts and intraventricular tumors.

The authors developed a minimally invasive microsurgical technique for intraventricular surgery using parallel endoscopy to visualize the lesion. Surgical resection was performed via an 11.5-mm transparent conduit (Neuroendoport) deployed under stereotactic guidance. Forty-seven consecutive cases were performed, and all had a minimum 1-year follow-up to assess the efficacy of the technique.

For colloid cysts, gross total resection was achieved in 31 (96.9%) of the 32 cases. The transient neurologic morbidity rate was 9.4%; no permanent neurologic morbidity occurred. For intraventricular tumors, gross or near total resection was achieved in 80% of cases. The transient neurological morbidity rate was 6.7%, and no permanent neurological morbidity occurred.

SEP surgery for colloid cysts and intraventricular tumors proved to be a safe and effective alternative to conventional microsurgical resection. This technique was not limited by the vascularity, friability, or size of any of the lesions.