title: Indication for endoscopic third ventriculostomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is increasingly prevalent among pediatric neurosurgeons as the initial treatment for hydrocephalus. The combination of ETV and choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) has improved the success rate among infants with hydrocephalus for whom ETV alone is much less successful. In parts of the developing world where there are economic and human resource constraints, this mode of treatment may be more appropriate than the routine use of shunts, which are prone to failures that require urgent surgical treatment. Here we review indications for the use of ETV or ETV/CPC as the primary treatment for hydrocephalus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary treatment of hydrocephalus by ETV can avoid shunt-dependence and its complications for many patients. Optimal results depend upon proper patient selection and the use of combined ETV/CPC when treating infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda, Mbale, Uganda. mjohnk2006@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mugamba
authors.forename: Vita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stagno
mesh_terms: D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000150:complications; D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000150:complications; D012086:Reoperation; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods*