Computer-assisted stereotactic third ventriculostomy in the management of noncommunicating hydrocephalus

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 1992;59(1-4):105-10. doi: 10.1159/000098925.

Abstract

Between January, 1984, and December, 1990, a total of 85 patients have undergone stereotactic third ventriculostomy (TV) at the Mayo Clinic. Sixty-one patients (74%) presented with mass lesions in the region of the posterior third ventricle, aqueduct of Sylvius or fourth ventricle. Twenty-four patients (26%) presented with non-tumoral, adult/adolescent-onset aqueductal stenosis. Follow-up was available for all 85 patients and ranged from 1 to 66 months (mean 25 months). Follow-up revealed initial patency in 84 patients. Eleven patients (13%) ultimately required extracranial shunting for persistent symptomatic hydrocephalus. Two patients underwent revision of their TV. Twenty-seven patients had been previously shunted. Of these, 23 (85%) have remained asymptomatic after TV without the need for further shunting. Stereotactic TV is a safe and effective way of re-establishing normal cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics in selected cases of obstructive hydrocephalus.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / classification
  • Hydrocephalus / physiopathology
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted
  • Ventriculostomy*