Endoscopic colloid cyst surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is to discuss the technical aspects of operating on colloid cysts through a transventricular approach, with rigid endoscopes.


METHODS
Twelve patients underwent 14 endoscopic operations in attempts to treat their colloid cysts. All patients were symptomatic, with headache being the most common complaint (8 of 12 patients). Six patients in this series exhibited enlarged ventricles associated with their colloid cysts. Using rigid endoscopes of < or =3.5-mm diameter, the cysts were inspected and fenestrated. Both hard and soft cyst contents were evacuated, and then the walls of the cysts were coagulated inside and outside. External ventriculostomy tubes were usually placed. Technical obstacles to successful completion of endoscopic colloid cyst surgery are discussed.


RESULTS
For 11 of the 12 patients, the colloid cysts could be treated via an endoscopic approach. The mean follow-up time was 173 weeks, and the median follow-up time was 125 weeks. For the 12th patient, bilateral scarring of the foramina of Monro precluded direct surgery; therefore, a septostomy was performed and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic transventricular surgery should be considered for the treatment of colloid cysts.
Rodziewicz
G S
GS
Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210, USA.
Smith
M V
MV
Hodge
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome