Minimally Invasive Management of the Third Ventricle Glioma in a Patient without Hydrocephalus: Neurofiberscopic Biopsy Followed by Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Zusammenfassung

Abstract

There is usually concern that ventricular enlargement is necessary for safe neuroendoscopic procedures. However, newly developed models of neurofiberscopes with a small outer diameter can be effectively used even in patients without ventriculomegaly. We present the case of a successful neurofiberscopic biopsy of a third ventricle anaplastic astrocytoma in a previously shunted patient without hydrocephalus. Subsequent gamma knife radiosurgery led to complete disappearance of the tumor. It seems that presence of collapsed ventricles, and even symptoms consistent with the slit ventricle syndrome, should not be considered as contraindications for neurofiberscopic surgery when brain compliance is sufficiently preserved. The latter should be considered as the key point of safe endoscopic manipulations. The combination of the neuroendoscopy and stereotactic radiosurgery provides wide possibilities for minimally invasive management of selected intracranial tumors.

Key words

Third ventricle glioma - neurofiberscopic biopsy - gamma knife radiosurgery - slit ventricle syndrome

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