title: Application of neuroendoscopy in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to hypertensive intraventricular hemorrhage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Neuroendoscopy has become an integral part of neurosurgery, in particular in the ventricular system. Obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a good indication for neuroendoscopic surgery. We evaluated its efficacy and limitations in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 5-year period, 13 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to hypertensive IVH were studied. Patients with IVH with no evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus or with a large parenchymal hematoma or IVH of vascular origin were excluded. Rigid endoscope was used to evacuate hematoma in lateral ventricles and third ventricle in all patients. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Graeb score and ventriculo-cranial ratio were evaluated before and after endoscopic intervention and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was appraised at 1 month and 12 months, postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 13 patients, eight (61.5%) patients had thalamus hemorrhage. A successful endoscopic removal of intraventricular hematoma was achieved in all patients. Complications observed included, fornix contusion (1) and meningitis (1) and there was no procedure-related mortality. The mean Graeb score reduced from 8.69 ± 1.89 to 6.00 ± 2.68 (P=0.001) and ventriculo-cranial ratio decreased from 0.41 ±0.05 to 0.39 ± 0.05 (P=0.085) following the procedure. The mean GOS scores at 1 month and 12 months both were 2.7, but a bipolar distribution was observed at 12 months. The Graeb score changed significantly with positive correlation to GCS score change (=0.565 and P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic management of severe IVH with obstructive hydrocephalus allows effective reduction of the amount of ventricular blood and improves level of consciousness. Future refinement in instrumentation and discreet case selection may make this method more applicable and effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chi-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Wen-Ching
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Tzaan
authors.forename: Peng-Wei
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods*