Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Single-Entry Point Endoscopic Intraventricular Approach for Third Ventriculostomy and Pineal Biopsy
Published on: June 28, 2024
The efficacy analysis of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in infantile hydrocephalus
Zhenhua He1, Caixia An2, Xinding Zhang1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.
Insights
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) shows effectiveness in treating infantile hydrocephalus. This procedure offers a viable option for managing this condition in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Neurology
Background:
- Infantile hydrocephalus presents a significant challenge in pediatric neurosurgery.
- Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a minimally invasive surgical option.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in treating infantile hydrocephalus.
- To assess the outcomes of ETV in a cohort of infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 17 infantile hydrocephalus cases treated with ETV between July 2009 and June 2013.
- Analysis of patient demographics, hydrocephalus etiology (congenital, post-encephalitis, post-hemorrhage), and ETV success rates.
Main Results:
- ETV was successful in 16 out of 17 cases (94.1%).
- Remarkable improvement was observed in 7 cases, with reduced head circumference and ventricular size, and thickening of cerebral cortex.
- One case failed due to severe intraventricular adhesions and basilar artery issues.
Conclusions:
- ETV is an effective treatment for infantile obstructive hydrocephalus.
- The study highlights the potential of ETV in managing hydrocephalus in infants, with a high success rate.
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for infantile hydrocephalus.
Methods:
Retrospectively reviewed the 17 infantile hydrocephalus cases who were treated with ETV between July 2009 and June 2013. The study includes 17 patients (4 Han and 13 Hui) between the ages of 51 and 337 days. Five cases with encephalitis history and 2 cases with cerebral hemorrhage, with the remaining 10 cases congenital hydrocephalus. ETVs were performed for all patients with 1 case failing because the severe ventricle inflammatory adhesion, excessive exudation, and vague basilar artery.
Results:
Among the 16 successful cases 7 cases improved remarkably : heads and ventricles reduced and cerebral cortexes thickening morphologically. The ventricles of the remaining cases were unchanged.
Conclusion:
The ethnic minority account for the majority of the patients in this study. ETV is effective for infantile obstructive hydrocephalus.

