title: Rate of recurrence following stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts of the third ventricle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The rate of recurrence following stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts is not defined in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the long-term imaging and clinical outcome in patients who had stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts of the third ventricle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1987 and 1994, computerized tomography-guided stereotactic aspiration was attempted in 26 consecutive patients with colloid cysts of the third ventricle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no mortality or permanent morbidity. A complete aspiration of the cyst was possible in 17 patients, a partial aspiration of the cyst was achieved in 6 and the aspiration failed in 3 patients. On long-term follow-up, symptomatic recurrence was noted in 5/6 patients after partial aspiration and 4/17 patients after complete aspiration (mean follow-up 84.8 months). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that after complete aspiration of the cyst, median time to recurrence on imaging is 42 months (95% CI 23.0-60.9 months) but median time to symptomatic recurrence is much later at 184 months (95% CI 88.2-279.7 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts remains a valid surgical option as complete aspiration leads to a good long-term outcome in several patients. Partial aspiration of the cyst should be followed by excision of the cyst, due to the high rate of symptomatic recurrence. However, periodic follow-up imaging is mandatory even after complete aspiration as delayed recurrences are possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. rajshekhar @ cmcvellore.ac.in
authors.forename: Vedantam
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rajshekhar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D056364:Colloid Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult