title: Small ventricular access prior to rigid neuroendoscopy.
abstract: The authors describe a new technique that may be used in conjunction with neuronavigation or freehand techniques for obtaining small ventricular access. Using this modification, the introducer sheath and trocar can be guided down a ventriculostomy tract with endoscopic visual control. With increasing focus on endoscopic therapies in patients without hydrocephalus, this adjunct, based on the authors' experience, may provide an additional technique for safely treating patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294-3410, USA. naftel@uab.edu
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Naftel
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.forename: Gavin T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wellons
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D038361:Neuronavigation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*