Cavernous Malformations in and Around the Third Ventricle: Indications, Approaches, and Outcomes

Cavernous malformations in structures in and around the third ventricle are a challenging conceptual and surgical problem. No consensus exists on the ideal approach to such lesions.

To perform a retrospective review of our institutional database to identify and evaluate approaches used to treat cavernous malformations located in and around the third ventricle.

Information was extracted regarding lesion size and location, extent of resection, time to last follow-up, surgical approach, presenting symptoms, preoperative and postoperative neurological status, and specific approach-related morbidity.

All 39 neurosurgical operations (in 36 patients) were either an anterior interhemispheric (AIH) (44%, 17/39) or a supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) (56%, 22/39) approach. Gross-total resection was achieved in 23 of 39 procedures (59%), a near-total resection in 1 (3%), and subtotal resection in 15 (38%). For the 31 patients with at least 3 mo of follow-up, the mean modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 1.5. Of the 31 patients, 25 (81%) had an mRS score of 0 to 2, 4 had a mRS score of 3 (13%), and 1 each had a mRS score of 4 (3%) or 5 (3%).

Most approaches to cavernous malformations in and around the third ventricle treated at our institution have been either an AIH or a SCIT approach. The AIH approach was used for lesions involving the lateral wall of the third ventricle or the midline third ventricular floor, whereas the SCIT approach was used for lesions extending from the third ventricle into the dorsolateral midbrain, with acceptable clinical results.