Published online Jul 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i14.3039
Peer-review started: March 27, 2020
First decision: April 24, 2020
Revised: May 25, 2020
Accepted: July 14, 2020
Article in press: July 14, 2020
Published online: July 26, 2020
Processing time: 119 Days and 5.8 Hours
The endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a neuroendoscopical procedure that represents a more suitable alternative to the extracranial shunting. It consists of fenestrating the floor of the third ventricle and thus establishing a free flow of the cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles to the site of resorption in the subarachnoid space. It offers a more physiological solution and a chance at a shunt-free life for children with hydrocephalus. The main indication for the procedure is obstructive hydrocephalus, however, it can also be useful in patients with other forms of hydrocephalus.
We present a treatment flow of a 9-year-old patient, diagnosed with an obstructive hydrocephalus due to tectal glioma that was successfully treated with an ETV. We review the important factors influencing the success rate such as age, aetiology, shunt history, preoperative planning and visualisation of the basilar artery.
Even though the ETV effectively controls obstructive hydrocephalus in more than 75% of all cases, the overall success rate of the procedure varies and could be approved by the correct preoperative patient selection.
Core tip: The endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a suitable alternative to extracranial shunting in obstructive hydrocephalus. It consists of fenestrating the third ventricle floor, thus establishing a free flow of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles to the subarachnoid space. It offers a chance for a shunt-free life in children with hydrocephalus. We present a treatment flow of a 9-year-old patient diagnosed with obstructive hydrocephalus due to tectal glioma that was successfully treated with an ETV and review the obstructive hydrocephalus pathology.