Endoscopy in the management of intra-ventricular lesions: preliminary experience in the Middle East.
OBJECTIVE
The study is aimed at evaluating neuroendoscopic procedures in the management of various intra-cranial intra-ventricular lesions.


METHODS
We retrospectively review 24 consecutive patients harboring various intra-ventricular lesions with or without associated hydrocephalus, operated and managed by the authors between December 2002 and December 2007. Depending on the preoperative imaging and working diagnosis, endoscopic biopsy or endoscopic resection/debulking, along with concomitant treatment of hydrocephalus via third ventriculostomy or fenestration of the septum pellucidum and ventriculo-peritoneal shunting, were done.


RESULTS
The single endoscopic procedure was successful in most of the patients (22/24), where the goals of surgery in attaining a diagnostic biopsy or resection, and simultaneous treatment of hydrocephalus, were attained helping guide further therapy. The endoscopic procedure was the only procedure needed in most of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic procedures carried a high success rate in the management of intra-ventricular lesions, and were especially valuable in patients harboring chemo and/or radiosensitive deep seated tumors.
Najjar
Marwan W
MW
Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Division, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. mwnajjar@yahoo.com
Azzam
Narmer I
NI
Baghdadi
Tarafa S
TS
Turkmani
Ali H
AH
Skaf
Ghassan
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult