Hemorrhagic sequelae from intracranial neuroendoscopic procedures for intraventricular tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Concern regarding the ability to accomplish adequate hemostasis during intracranial neuroendoscopy is often cited as a potential obstacle for primary endoscopic tumor management. In this study, the rate of clinically significant hemorrhage encountered as a result of endoscopic surgery for an intraventricular brain tumor is examined.


METHODS
A total of 86 patients underwent an endoscopic biopsy procedure or resection of an intraventricular tumor. Recognized hemorrhagic sequelae occurred at a rate of 3.5% per patient. Visual obscuration due to the presence of intraventricular bleeding necessitated aborting the procedure before completion of the objective in two cases. There was a hemorrhagic event resulting in relevant morbidity in one patient, who suffered a bilateral diencephalic stroke after attempted tumor biopsy sampling.


CONCLUSIONS
The low hemorrhagic complication rate described in this series counters the misconception surrounding ineffective hemostasis during intracranial endoscopy for tumors and provides further evidence that this minimally invasive approach is a safe alternative to some conventional intracranial approaches.
Luther
Neal
N
Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA.
Cohen
Anders
A
Souweidane
Mark M
MM
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods