title: Endoscopic intraventricular biopsy of infundibular Langerhans cell histiocytosis: case report.
abstract: 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.
authors: Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
authors: Brendan D
authors: BD
authors: Killory
authors: Francisco A
authors: FA
authors: Ponce
authors: Scott D
authors: SD
authors: Wait
authors: Stephen W
authors: SW
authors: Coons
authors: Harold L
authors: HL
authors: Rekate
mesh_terms: 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*