Stereotactic insertion of an ommaya reservoir: technical note.
BACKGROUND
Stereotactic insertion of catheters into deep-seated tumors or developmental cysts is easily accomplished, but connecting the catheter to an Ommaya reservoir while maintaining catheter position can be difficult. We describe a technique for easy placement of a catheter-Ommaya reservoir construct with one pass.


METHODS
Standard stereotactic imaging is performed. The distance from the outer table of the skull to the target point is measured. A catheter-Ommaya reservoir construct is assembled to this length and directed to the target position with a standard Cosman-Robert-Wells (CRW) stereotactic frame.


RESULTS
Use of this technique placed catheters into tumor or developmental cysts accurately and with no surgical complications in 12 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique is simple, safe, reliable, and requires no special equipment. It avoids the risk of dislodging the catheter when it is being connected to the Ommaya reservoir, reducing the chances of cyst leakage and collapse.
Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
M W
MW
McDermott
S F
SF
Ciricillo
P H
PH
Gutin
M S
MS
Edwards
D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy