title: Early outcome of combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization in childhood hydrocephalus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although shunts have been the mainstay in treating hydrocephalus over the past 5 decades, the use of endoscopic techniques in addressing this disorder in children offers both the neurosurgeon and the patient a unique opportunity to avoid shunting and its attendant complications. The combination of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) remains uncommon in most centers despite its potential promise. The authors sought to investigate the efficacy of combining ETV and CPC (ETV+CPC) in treating childhood hydrocephalus in Nigeria. Infection and spina bifida contribute a high percentage of the cases of hydrocephalus in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 2-year period, all children 0-18 years of age who had endoscopic treatment for hydrocephalus were prospectively evaluated to determine the need for subsequent treatment. Children who had the combination of ETV+CPC were identified as a subcategory and form the basis of this retrospective study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two of 38 endoscopically treated children had undergone the combination of ETV+CPC for hydrocephalus of varied etiology. There was a male preponderance (2.5:1), and 90% of the patients were infants. The overall success rate was 75%, with the best outcome in children with spina bifida. One child required a repeat ETV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of ETV+CPC is useful in treating children with hydrocephalus of varied etiology. The complication profile is acceptable, and the overall success rate is comparable to that associated with shunt insertion.
authors: Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery;
authors: Olufemi B
authors: OB
authors: Bankole
authors: Omotayo A
authors: OA
authors: Ojo
authors: Mathias N
authors: MN
authors: Nnadi
authors: Okezie O
authors: OO
authors: Kanu
authors: John O
authors: JO
authors: Olatosi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002425:Cautery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002831:Choroid Plexus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044583:Neuroendoscopy; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020542:Third Ventricle; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014696:Ventriculostomy
keywords: CPC = choroid plexus cauterization; ETV = endoscopic third ventriculostomy; MM = myelomeningocele; NPIH = non-postinfective hydrocephalus; PIH = postinfective hydrocephalus; childhood hydrocephalus; choroid plexus cauterization; developing countries; endoscopic third ventriculostomy; outcome