title: Split cerebral aqueduct: a neuroendoscopic illustration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Forking of the cerebral aqueduct is a developmental malformation that is infrequently encountered by neurosurgeons as a rare cause of hydrocephalus, sometimes with a delayed onset. The etiology of an apparently forked aqueduct might be different. However, neuroendoscopy can often be the optimal treatment. The purpose of this study was to review the literature by analyzing the anatomical, functional, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of this unusual condition and adding our personal cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of forking of the cerebral aqueduct that was detected in vivo and treated with a flexible scope. A thorough review of the pertinent literature is also discussed. In the past years, diagnosis of forked aqueduct was possible only postmortem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A forked aqueduct is occasionally encountered in patients when a delayed hydrocephalic decompensation occurs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flexible neuroendoscopy enables for a direct, in vivo diagnosis and immediate treatment through a third ventriculostomy.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, NOCSAE Modena Hospital, Via Giardini 1355, 41126, Baggiovara, Modena, Italy. alberto.feletti@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Treviso Hospital-University of Padova, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorindi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Treviso Hospital-University of Padova, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Longatti
mesh_terms: D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D059906:Neuroimaging; D014696:Ventriculostomy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aqueductal stenosis; Cerebral aqueduct; Forking; Hydrocephalus