title: Supraorbital endoscopic approach to colloid cysts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical approaches to colloid cysts of the third ventricle have evolved over time. In recent years, endoscopy has been recognized as an effective alternative to open surgery. The disadvantage of endoscopic treatment is the difficulty in controlling the adhesion of the cyst to the roof of the third ventricle and in obtaining complete removal of the cyst.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To design and carry out a supraorbital approach to obtain a better viewing angle of the cyst and better control of the adhesion of the cyst to the roof of the third ventricle.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2005 to February 2008, we operated on 7 consecutive patients with colloid cysts in the third ventricle. All procedures were performed with the endoscopic supraorbital approach. The endoscopic procedure was performed with a rigid STORZ endoscope with 3 working channels. In 4 patients, the surgical supraorbital trajectory was planned with the help of a navigator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedures lasted between 60 and 110 minutes, including the registration on the navigation system. Near-total removal of the cyst was achieved in 6 patients. All patients were discharged within 6 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic treatment may be an effective and safe alternative to open surgical craniotomy. Our series shows that the endoscopic supraorbital endoscopic resection is a valuable approach to colloid cysts of the third ventricle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Neurosurgery, S Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delitala
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunori
authors.forename: Natale
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D056364:Colloid Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D038361:Neuronavigation