Retrospective evaluation of endoscopic treatment in colloid cyst of the third ventricle

Endoscopic methods have gained a well-established position in surgical treatment of colloid cysts of third ventricle. However, the possibility of total tumor removal with this method and the long-term effectiveness of treatment are being questioned.

Personal twenty years' experience in treatment of third ventricle colloid cysts is presented on the basis of retrospective analysis.

The study group included 58 patients diagnosed by neuroimaging (head CT/MRI) with third ventricle colloid cyst. Post-hospital follow-up ranged from 18 to 42 months. Long-term follow-up head CT/MRI was performed in 39 patients.

The colloid cyst was removed totally in 47 (81%) patients. In 11 cases, the colloid cyst's wall was tightly adherent to the roof of the third ventricle, which limited the radicality of the procedure. Sixteen patients demonstrated memory impairments, 4 patients epilepsy and another 2 akinetic mutism in the direct postoperative course. One patient died as a result of complications unrelated to the procedure. The average hospitalization was 5 days. In the late period after surgery, remission of the most, previously, reported ailments and symptoms has been reported. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus was needed in 7 patients. In 3 cases cyst recurrence was diagnosed which required reoperation.

The endoscopic methods allow the total removal of a third ventricle colloid cyst in most patients. Leaving a small coagulated fragment of the cyst rarely results in its recurrence. This method results in effective treatment with a low complications rate, shortens hospitalization time and brings the patient a high level of satisfaction with a quick recovery.