title: Ultrasound-guided endoscopic fenestration of the third ventricular floor for non-communicating hydrocephalus.
abstract: Conventional valve shunting for treatment of hydrocephalus has a high rate of long-term complications. Endoscopic ventriculostomy by fenestration of the third ventricular floor, a minimally-invasive technique, avoids many of the drawbacks of extracranial shunting. Endoscopy was performed in 12 hydrocephalic patients with MRI-diagnosed aqueductal stenosis and neurological signs. Intraoperative ultrasound guidance allowed aiming the tip of the rigid endoscope to the foramen of Monro, and direct entering of the enlarged third ventricle. This technique is as exact as stereotaxy but is faster and easier. No complications were seen due to the surgical procedure. Nine patients were cured from their complaints, in 3 cases there was a subjective improvement of neurology. Long-term patency of the third ventriculostomy was confirmed by movement-sensitive MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Rainov
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schöpp
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burkert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography