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IntroductionAfter a time of domination of shunt placement, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been increasingly applied in treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus.AimTo assess the effectiveness of ETV in treatment of adults with three-ventricle hydrocephalus of different etiology.Material and methodsNinety-six patients with obstructive hydrocephalus were studied: 24 with primary aqueductal stenosis, 61 with brain tumor, and 2 with basilar tip aneurysm. In 9 patients the etiology of hydrocephalus remained undetermined. The assessment of treatment results was based on clinical and radiological criteria.ResultsClinical improvement was observed in 74 (77.1%) patients, and radiological improvement in 52 (54.2%). One patient died. Follow-up of 24 patients with primary aqueductal stenosis has shown that in 20 (83.3%) of them clinical improvement has been stable, and in 14 (58.3%) radiological improvement has been observed. Two patients required shunt placement due to hydrocephalus recurrence 12–24 months after the ETV procedure. Among 9 patients with undefined hydrocephalus, 3 required shunt placement within 6 months after ETV (2 shunted previously). Endoscopic third ventriculostomy treatment in a patient with hydrocephalus caused by basilar tip aneurysm succeeded. The assessment of ETV effectiveness in oncological patients has been indirect in view of the underlying disease.ConclusionsThe best results of ETV treatment have been demonstrated for patients with primary aqueductal stenosis. Ventricle size cannot determine the effectiveness of treatment as an individual requirement. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is effective in previously shunted patients although the prediction of outcome should be cautious. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy enables preparation for further therapy and is palliative treatment in oncological patients with secondary hydrocephalus.

IntroductionIntraventricular endoscopic operations are usually undertaken in patients with an enlarged ventricular system that provides good access to the ventricles, proper anatomic orientation and safety of maneuvers within the ventricles.AimThe preliminary assessment of the feasibility of endoscopic procedures in cases occurring without hydrocephalus.Material and methodsEleven patients with intraventricular tumor diagnosed in neuroimaging studies were included in the study. None of these cases was accompanied by hydrocephalus. Surgery was performed with a rigid neuroendoscope using a neuronavigation system. The purpose of the operation was tumor removal or histological verification.ResultsThe colloid cyst of the third ventricle was removed in 5 patients. In 1 patient a glial-derived tumor adjacent to the interventricular foramen was partially resected. In 1 case a tumor of the lateral ventricle was totally removed, and in another case the resection of such a tumor was partial. In 2 cases, a biopsy of the tumor of the posterior portion of the third ventricle was undertaken, while in 1 case the biopsy was abandoned due to the risk of injury of structures surrounding interventricular foramen. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. None of the patients developed hydrocephalus in the long-term follow-up. The results of treatment in the study group did not differ from those obtained in patients operated on with hydrocephalus.ConclusionsThe presence of hydrocephalus is not necessary to perform endoscopic surgery. However, in each case it should be preceded by a thorough analysis of the feasibility of the endoscopic procedure and should be supported by a neuronavigation system.

IntroductionSelection of the optimal treatment method of intra- and paraventricular tumors often requires histopathological verification that can be obtained by endoscopic biopsy.AimTo discuss the usefulness of the method in their own experience.Material and methodsThe results of 32 biopsies carried out during a 15-year period were reviewed retrospectively. All tumors were located supratentorially, 25 of them were intraventricular and 7 paraventricular. In 18 patients the tumor was accompanied by internal hydrocephalus. If the ventricular system was narrow, the biopsy was supported by a neuronavigation system. A rigid neuroendoscope was used. The obtained material was subjected to intraoperative and final histopathological examination.ResultsViable diagnostic material was obtained from all patients. In 11 patients with tumor of the posterior portion of the third ventricle, cerebrospinal fluid was collected additionally for diagnostic tests. In 9 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus concomitant third ventriculostomy was performed. In 4 patients with tumor of the interventricular foramen, the tumor mass was reduced and in 2 cases septostomy was performed. In 3 (9.4%) cases the histopathological diagnosis was descriptive and did not explain the nature of the lesion. Four biopsies resulted in persistent bleeding, in 3 patients transient memory impairments were observed, and in 1 patient an epileptic seizure occurred. Five patients needed ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.ConclusionsEndoscopic biopsy is a safe method to verify the histopathological nature of intra- and paraventricular lesions. It enables sampling of cerebrospinal fluid, reduction of tumor size, and in cases of coexisting obstructive hydrocephalus also third ventriculostomy or septostomy.

Introduction: Endoscopic methods have gained a well-established position in surgical treatment of colloid cysts of third ventricle. However, the possibility of total tumor removal with this method and the long-term effectiveness of treatment are being questioned. Aim: Personal twenty years' experience in treatment of third ventricle colloid cysts is presented on the basis of retrospective analysis. Material and methods: The study group included 58 patients diagnosed by neuroimaging (head CT/MRI) with third ventricle colloid cyst. Post-hospital follow-up ranged from 18 to 42 months. Long-term follow-up head CT/MRI was performed in 39 patients. Results: The colloid cyst was removed totally in 47 (81%) patients. In 11 cases, the colloid cyst's wall was tightly adherent to the roof of the third ventricle, which limited the radicality of the procedure. Sixteen patients demonstrated memory impairments, 4 patients epilepsy and another 2 akinetic mutism in the direct postoperative course. One patient died as a result of complications unrelated to the procedure. The average hospitalization was 5 days. In the late period after surgery, remission of the most, previously, reported ailments and symptoms has been reported. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus was needed in 7 patients. In 3 cases cyst recurrence was diagnosed which required reoperation. Conclusions: The endoscopic methods allow the total removal of a third ventricle colloid cyst in most patients. Leaving a small coagulated fragment of the cyst rarely results in its recurrence. This method results in effective treatment with a low complications rate, shortens hospitalization time and brings the patient a high level of satisfaction with a quick recovery.