title: Third ventriculostomy in normal pressure hydrocephalus.
abstract: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become established as the treatment of choice in cases of uncomplicated occlusive hydrocephalus, but the clinical indications are continually being challenged. The role of ETV in so-called communicating hydrocephalus is often discussed within the context of the ongoing debate on cerebrospinal fluid flow pathways and the disruption caused by varying pathological entities. The increasing number of published reports outlining the efficacy of ETV in noncommunicating or obstructive hydrocephalus, with comparatively low complication rates, has led to attempts by some in the neurosurgical community to redefine its role in patients with communicating hydrocephalus and in particular normal pressure hydrocephalus. A randomized matched cohort with similar inclusion/exclusion criteria and objective and independent multidisciplinary assessments of preoperative assessment and postoperative outcome would be required to define the role of ETV in this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, Alder Hey, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jothy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kandasamy
authors.forename: Jawad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yousaf
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mallucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods*