Endoscopic intraventricular biopsy of infundibular Langerhans cell histiocytosis: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Surgical biopsy of isolated infundibular lesions is indicated in patients who are symptomatic or whose imaging suggests a treatable lesion. Early therapy can prevent irreversible neurological or endocrinological damage and, potentially, metastasis. These considerations justify the small risk associated with surgery.


METHODS
A 5-year-old boy presented with diabetes insipidus and an enhancing lesion of the pituitary stalk without evidence of extracranial disease.


METHODS
The lesion was biopsied via an endoscopic intraventricular approach without complications. Pathological examination revealed Langerhans cell histiocytosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic intraventricular biopsy can be considered as a less invasive alternative to craniotomy in patients with infundibular lesions protruding superiorly into the third ventricle.
Killory
Brendan D
BD
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Ponce
Francisco A
FA
Wait
Scott D
SD
Coons
Stephen W
SW
Rekate
Harold L
HL
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000601:surgery*