Colloid Cysts: Evolution of Surgical Approach Preference and Management of Recurrent Cysts

Optimal management of third ventricular colloid cysts remains debated. While microsurgery offers greater resection rates and lower recurrences, endoscopy offers a perceived less invasive option.

To describe the evolution of our practice to favor microsurgery and determine the optimal management of recurrent colloid cysts.

Any patient having undergone surgery for a colloid cyst by the senior author was identified and included in the study cohort. Clinical, radiographic, and operative records were reviewed, with attention paid to those patients requiring recurrent surgery.

Thirty-three patients were treated for intracranial colloid cysts between 1995 and 2017. Two patients had initial surgical treatment at an outside institution prior to presentation at our institution. Microsurgery was used in 15/31 initial cases, endoscopy in 13 cases, and ventriculoperitoneal shunting in 3 cases. Between 1995 and 2005, 89% of colloid cysts (8/9 cases) were resected endoscopically, whereas 74% of colloid cysts (14/19 cases) were resected by microsurgery after 2005. Of the 13 patients treated endoscopically, 6 (46%) required surgery for recurrent cysts. Incomplete cyst wall resection at the initial operation increased the recurrence rate to 55%. There were no recurrences in the microsurgery cohort.

Surgical resection of recurrent colloid cysts should focus on complete removal of the cyst wall to minimize the chance of recurrence. Microsurgery has been shown to provide the highest success rates for cyst wall resection and lowest rates of recurrence and is therefore recommended for patients undergoing surgery for primary and recurrent colloid cysts.