Transcallosal approach to anterior and mid-third ventricular tumors--a review of 62 cases

Sixty-two consecutive patients with anterior and mid-third ventricular lesions were operated on by a limited anterior transcallosal approach from 1987 to 1992. Fifty-six cases were operated on by B K M. Following lateral ventricular entry, transforaminal route to the third ventricle was preferred and utilised in 44 cases. An interfornicial or subchoroidal approach was employed only if transforminal entry was not adequate and was the route in 16 and two cases respectively. Enlargement of the foramen of Monro by incising its margins was not resorted to in any case. The age of the patients ranged from six to 64 years, (mean 29 years). Males were twice as often affected as females. There were 50 benign lesions: 43 colloid cysts, two craniopharyngiomas, one arachnoid cyst and four cysts of uncertain histology, and 12 malignant tumours: eight intrinsic astrocytomas, two oligodendrogliomas, one ependymoma and one primary lymphoma. The outcome in the benign cases was excellent in 42, good in six and poor in one. There was one post-operative death due to meningitis.