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Atallah O, Badary A, El-Ghandour NMF, Almealawy YF, Wireko AA, Syrmos N, Umana GE, Al-Barbarawi M, Ergen A, Shrestha P, Chaurasia B. Cystic dilatation of the ventriculus terminalis: A narrative review. JOURNAL OF CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION AND SPINE 2023; 14:319-329. [PMID: 38268679 PMCID: PMC10805159 DOI: 10.4103/jcvjs.jcvjs_98_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The terminal ventricle, also known as the fifth ventricle, is a tiny relic cavity in the conus medullaris of the human spinal cord. Our purpose in bringing attention to this condition is to get the word out about the signs and symptoms, diagnostic hurdles, and therapeutic options available for it. Methods All relevant studies involving patients diagnosed with ventriculus terminalis (VT) were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Studies published in complete English language reports were included. The terms VT, terminal ventricle, and 5th ventricle. Age, gender, presenting symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging findings, treatment, and outcome of patients with ventriculus terminalis were all included and recorded. Results The average age of the patients was 39 years, and there were 13 men among them (14.4%). Motor deficits and sciatica were the most commonly reported symptoms in 38 and 34 patients (42.2%, 37.7%), respectively. In 48 patients (53.3%), cyst fenestration was performed, and in 25 patients (27.7%), myelotomy was performed. Fifty-eight patients (64.4%) saw a reduction in cyst size after surgery. The majority of patients reported an improvement in their symptoms in 64 cases (51.1%), with only three cases (3.3%) reporting a worsening. Conclusions In cases where the VT is the source of symptoms such as motor, sensory, or bladder dysfunction, surgical intervention is recommended. This review compiles information from the available literature to shed light on the anatomy, clinical presentation, imaging, and treatment options for this variant. It also aims to pinpoint any potential drawbacks or restrictions connected to the surgical techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oday Atallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amr Badary
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Dessau, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | | | - Yasser F. Almealawy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq
| | - Andrew Awuah Wireko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Nikolaos Syrmos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana
- Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma Centre, Gamma Knief Centre, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Anil Ergen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Derince Research Hospital, Derince, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Prabin Shrestha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kathmandu Neuro and General Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bipin Chaurasia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Clinic, Birgunj, Nepal
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Dasic D, Signorelli F, Ligarotti GKI, D'Onofrio GF, Rapisarda A, Syrmos N, Chibbaro S, Visocchi M, Ganau M. Cystic Dilatation of the Ventriculus Terminalis: Examining the Relevance of the Revised Operative Classification Through a Systematic Review of the Literature, 2011-2021. ACTA NEUROCHIRURGICA. SUPPLEMENT 2023; 135:399-404. [PMID: 38153500 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36084-8_61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The literature features limited evidence on the natural history of the cystic dilatation of the ventriculus terminalis (CDVT) and its response to treatment. The goal of this study is to ascertain which impact the revised operative classification of CDVT had on the management of patients diagnosed over the past 10 years.Ten new clinical articles presenting a total of 30 cases of CDVT were identified and included for qualitative analysis. Two take-home messages can be identified: (1) Adequate consideration should be given to designing national pathways for referral to tertiary centers with relevant expertise in the management of lesions of the conus medullaris, and (2) we suggest that type Ia should be, at least initially, treated conservatively, whereas we reckon that the signs and symptoms described in types Ib, II, and III seem to benefit, although in some patients only partially, from surgical decompression in the form of cystic fenestration, cyst-subarachnoid shunting, or both.While the level of evidence gathered in this systematic review remains low because the literature on CDVT consists only of retrospective studies based on single-center series (level of evidence 4 according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM)), the strength of recommendation for adopting the revised operative classification of CDVT is moderate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davor Dasic
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francesco Signorelli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ginevra Federica D'Onofrio
- Institute of Neurosurgery, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rapisarda
- Institute of Neurosurgery, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Syrmos
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Salvatore Chibbaro
- Division of Neurosurgery, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Mario Ganau
- Division of Neurosurgery, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Baig Mirza A, Visagan R, Boardman T, Murphy C, Al-Ali B, Kellett C, Grahovac G. Recurrent terminal ventricle cyst: a case report. J Surg Case Rep 2021; 2021:rjab498. [PMID: 34804483 PMCID: PMC8598984 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjab498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The terminal ventricle (TV) of Krause is a rare cystic dilation of the conus' central canal. Due to limited understanding surrounding its pathophysiology, optimal management remains controversial. We report a 25-year-old female presenting with acute paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging spine revealed a cystic conus medullaris lesion in keeping with an incidental TV cyst. However, the patient experienced a rapid resolution of symptoms. We hypothesize that the TV cyst spontaneously ruptured and auto-decompressed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an enlarging symptomatic TV cyst with spontaneous rupture and resolution of symptoms, highlighting the variable natural history of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asfand Baig Mirza
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ravindran Visagan
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Timothy Boardman
- GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Murphy
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Bilal Al-Ali
- GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Kellett
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gordan Grahovac
- Department of Neurosurgery, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Abstract
Ventriculus terminalis (VT) is a cystic embryological remnant within the conus medullaris that normally regresses after birth. In rare cases, it may persist into adulthood and give rise to neurologic symptoms. The pathogenesis remains unclear but is thought to be related to failed embryonic regression with other proposed possible etiologies including vascular disturbances. We present an intriguing case of a slow-growing VT in a woman with progressive neurologic symptoms who experiences symptomatic relief following thoracic laminectomy and fenestration. Our case is the first to present a unique association with polyarteritis nodosa and only the third to report a case of documented enlargement of the VT over time successfully treated with surgical fenestration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Weisbrod
- Neurological Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
| | - Collin Liu
- Neurological Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
| | - Daniel Surdell
- Neurological Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.,Neurosurgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA
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Parra JED, García MAA, Vélez García JF. The terminal ventricle of Saguinus leucopus (Primate). Anat Cell Biol 2020; 53:502-504. [PMID: 32839356 PMCID: PMC7769110 DOI: 10.5115/acb.20.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The terminal ventricle is a dilation of the ventricular system located within the spinal cord, which is enveloped in ependymal cells that are involved in the dynamic of the cerebrospinal liquid. In the present study, four Saguinus leucopus specimens were dissected, two males and two females, whose spinal cords were extracted and histologically processed via hematoxylin and eosin stains of cuts at the conus medullaris. The S. leucopus' terminal ventricle was observed at the conus medullaris, and had an average diameter of 241.38 μm. Thus, the presence of the terminal ventricle in the S. leucopus at the level of the conus medullaris was established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Eduardo Duque Parra
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales, Colombia.,Medicine Program, Department of Basic Sciences, Universidad de Manizales, Manizales, Colombia
| | | | - Juan Fernando Vélez García
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
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Fletcher-Sandersjöö A, Edström E, Bartek J, Elmi-Terander A. Surgical treatment for symptomatic ventriculus terminalis: case series and a literature review. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2019; 161:1901-1908. [PMID: 31278597 PMCID: PMC6704110 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-019-03996-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ventriculus terminalis is a cystic embryological remnant within the conus medullaris that normally regresses after birth. In rare cases, it may persist into adulthood and give rise to neurological symptoms, for which the optimal treatment remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to present our experience from a population-based cohort of patients with ventriculus terminalis and discuss our management strategy as compared to the existing literature. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of all adult (≥ 15 years) patients with ventriculus terminalis who were referred to the Karolinska University Hospital between 2010 and 2018. RESULTS Fourteen patients were included. All patients were symptomatic at the time of referral, and the most common symptom was lower limb weakness (n = 9). Microsurgical cyst fenestration was offered to all patients and performed in thirteen. Postoperative imaging confirmed cyst size reduction in all surgically treated patients. No surgical complications were reported. Eleven of the surgically treated patients showed clinical improvement at long-term follow-up. One patient declined surgery, with progression of the cyst size and clinical deterioration observed at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Surgery for ventriculus terminalis seems to be a safe and effective option for relief of symptoms. We propose that surgery should be offered to all patients with symptomatic ventriculus terminalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Fletcher-Sandersjöö
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Bioclinicum J5:20, 171 64, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Erik Edström
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Bioclinicum J5:20, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Bioclinicum J5:20, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adrian Elmi-Terander
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Bioclinicum J5:20, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
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Lotfinia I, Mahdkhah A. The cystic dilation of ventriculus terminalis with neurological symptoms: Three case reports and a literature review. J Spinal Cord Med 2018; 41:741-747. [PMID: 29791269 PMCID: PMC6217512 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1474680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The ventriculus terminalis (VT) is a very small ependymal-lined residual lumen in the conus medullaris. It is normally present in all subjects during fetal development. VT in adults appears as an unusual pathology with an uncertain pathogenesis. FINDINGS In this paper, we described three case reports of symptomatic fifth ventricle cystic dilations. All of them were female and their mean age was 59 years. We treated them surgically and all three patients were improved based on clinical and imaging assessments. CONCLUSION Our cases suggested that surgical decompression was a safe and effective treatment in symptomatic patients and the neurosurgeons should be aware of such rare situations. A complete list of differential diagnosis about other cystic dilations of the conus medullaris should be emphasized to select the correct clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraj Lotfinia
- Professor of Neurosurgery Department of Neurosurgery, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ata Mahdkhah
- Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery Department of Neurosurgery, Urmia University of Medical Science, Urmia, Iran
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Severino R, Severino P. Surgery or not? A case of ventriculus terminalis in an adult patient. JOURNAL OF SPINE SURGERY 2017; 3:475-480. [PMID: 29057360 DOI: 10.21037/jss.2017.06.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The ventriculus terminalis (VT) is an intramedullary cavity containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), usually located at the conus, and represents an unsuccessful regression of a normal embryological phase of the development of the neural tube. Symptoms are not univocal and may vary from aspecific signs to sphincter dysfunctions and focal neurological deficits. The correct management of this condition is still an object of debate due to its rarity and its unpredictable behaviour in adult patients. Two different studies have proposed a distinction for patients with cystic dilatation of VT based on their symptoms, suggesting that only those patients with neurological deficits clearly related to the terminal ventricle could benefit from surgery. We describe a case of an adult patient with a progressive dilatation of a diagnosed VT that we treated surgically. A management flowchart for this condition is also proposed based on our experience and a review of the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Severino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Anthea Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo Severino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Anthea Hospital, Bari, Italy
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Zeinali M, Safari H, Rasras S, Bahrami R, Arjipour M, Ostadrahimi N. Cystic dilation of a ventriculus terminalis. Case report and review of the literature. Br J Neurosurg 2017; 33:294-298. [PMID: 28618974 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2017.1340585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The ventriculus terminalis (VT) is a small ependyma-lined cavity within the conus medullaris that is in direct continuity with the central canal of the spinal cord. Cystic dilatation of the ventriculus terminalis on its own is an extremely rare pathological event in adults whose pathogenesis is uncertain. VT has been described in children as a normal developmental phenomenon. These lesions are often diagnosed incidentally during imaging and are in most cases asymptomatic, especially in children. Symptomatic dilatation of VT in adults is a rare condition with 61cases being reported to date. Symptomatic dilatation of VT in children has not been reported till now. We present a 5 year-old-boy with a sphincteric and walking disorder. The patient was assessed by clinical, electrophysiological and urodynamic investigations as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar-sacral segment with and without gadolinium enhancement. Lumbar-sacral MRI demonstrated the presence of a cystic lesion containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which did not enhance after gadolinium, compatible with the diagnosis of the ventriculus terminalis dilation.The patient underwent laminectomy and the cyst wall was fenestrated with a midline myelotomy. In 6-month of follow-up, urinary problems and gait disturbance improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Zeinali
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Ahvaz Jundishapur University Of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Hosein Safari
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Ahvaz Jundishapur University Of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Saleh Rasras
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Ahvaz Jundishapur University Of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Reza Bahrami
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Ahvaz Jundishapur University Of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Mahdi Arjipour
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Ahvaz Jundishapur University Of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
| | - Nima Ostadrahimi
- a Department of Neurosurgery , Ahvaz Jundishapur University Of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz , Iran
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