Intraoperative assessment of cerebral aqueduct patency and cisternal scarring: impact on success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in 403 African children

Paediatric hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is classically considered as a failure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis that results in the active expansion of the cerebral ventricles. Infants with hydrocephalus can present with progressive increases in head circumference whereas older children often present with signs and symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at or near birth and some cases have been linked to gene mutations that disrupt brain morphogenesis and alter the biomechanics of the CSF-brain interface. Acquired hydrocephalus can develop at any time after birth, is often caused by central nervous system infection or haemorrhage and has been associated with blockage of CSF pathways and inflammation-dependent dysregulation of CSF secretion and clearance. Treatments for hydrocephalus mainly include surgical CSF shunting or endoscopic third ventriculostomy with or without choroid plexus cauterization. In utero treatment of fetal hydrocephalus is possible via surgical closure of associated neural tube defects. Long-term outcomes for children with hydrocephalus vary widely and depend on intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic factors. Advances in genomics, brain imaging and other technologies are beginning to refine the definition of hydrocephalus, increase precision of prognostication and identify nonsurgical treatment strategies.

Combined Predictive Model for Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Success in Adults and Children

BACKGROUND

The selection of patients in whom endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) can be effective remains poorly defined. The ETV success score (ETVSS) and the presence of bowing of the third ventricle have been identified as independent factors for predicting success, each with limitations. The objective of this study is to elaborate a combined predictive model to predict ETV success in a mixed cohort of patients.

METHODS

Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative, and radiologic variables were analyzed in all ventriculostomies performed consecutively at a single institution from December 2004 to December 2022. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of preoperative, immediate, and late postoperative magnetic resonance imaging were conducted. Univariate analysis and logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS

118 ETVs were performed in the selected period. Of these procedures, 106 met the inclusion criteria. The overall success rate was 71.7%, with a median follow-up of 3.64 years (interquartile range, 1.06-5.62). The median age was 36.1 years (interquartile range, 11.7-53.5). 35.84% were children (median, 7.81 years). Among the 80 patients with third ventricle bowing, the success rate was 88.8% (P < 0.001). Larger third ventricle dimensions on preoperative mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging were associated with increased ETV success. The model with the best receiver operating characteristic curves, with an area under the curve of 0.918 (95% confidence interval, 0.856-0.979) includes sex, ETVSS, presence of complications, and third ventricle bowing.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of bowing of the third ventricle is strongly associated with a higher ETV success rate. However, a combined predictive model that integrates it with the ETVSS is the most appropriate approach for selecting patients for ETV.

The Role of Ventriculocisternostomy in the Management of Hydrocephalus in Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

BACKGROUND

 Hydrocephalus continues to pose significant clinical challenges in neurosurgery. The primary goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of ventriculocisternostomy (VCS) within the provincial city of Kinshasa and Mali to optimize the management of patients afflicted with hydrocephalus.

METHODS

 This investigation was hosted at two major urban healthcare facilities: the Initiative Plus Hospital Center, positioned in the bustling metropolis of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Bamako Hospital, Republic of Mali. A prospective, analytical cohort study was executed from December 2022 to June 2023.

RESULTS

In the Mali group, seven patients underwent VCS, four patients were treated with VCS and spinal surgery, and one case was treated with VCS and biopsy. Similarly, in the Kinshasa group, 25 patients underwent VCS, whereas four patients were treated with VCS and spinal surgery. The median hospital stay was eight and 10 days for the Mali and the Kinshasa groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

VCS emerges as a formidable alternative for hydrocephalus management in Mali and DRC, showcasing the potential to markedly ameliorate patient outcomes, economize healthcare expenditures, and fortify the local neurosurgical capacity.

Impact of intraventricular hemorrhage symmetry on endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus: an institutional experience of 50 cases

OBJECTIVE

The success rate of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) in the management of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) following intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in infants is not well defined. Furthermore, parameters of IVH at initial presentation have not been tested for predictive associations of ETV/CPC success in this setting. The authors sought to summarize their institutional outcomes to identify possible predictors of ETV/CPC success within this niche.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all ETV/CPC procedures performed at the authors' institution for PHH between 2011 and 2021. Patients were screened against a set of selection criteria including follow-up time of at least 6 months. Associations with ETV/CPC failure were evaluated using regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients satisfied all criteria. There were 32 (64%) male and 18 (36%) female patients with a mean gestational birth age of 26 weeks. The presenting IVH was symmetric in 30 (60%) and asymmetric in 20 (40%) patients, and the maximum IVH grade was IV in 30 (60%) patients overall. Six months after the procedure, ETV/CPC success was seen in 18 (36%) patients and failure in 32 (64%) patients. The median overall follow-up was 42 months, at which point ETV/CPC success was observed in 11 (22%) patients and ETV/CPC failure in 39 (78%) patients. Regression analyses indicated that radiological IVH symmetry was a statistically significant predictor of ETV/CPC failure at 6 months (OR 3.46, p = 0.04) and overall (OR 5.33, p = 0.03). Overall rates of failure were 89% versus 62% (p = 0.02) when comparing symmetric versus asymmetric IVH patients, and time to failure occurred at median times of 1.4 versus 6.5 months (p = 0.03) after the initial procedure. Higher maximum IVH grade and younger age at initial ETV/CPC only trended toward increased failure rates. When the etiology component of the ETV Success Score was adjusted such that symmetric IVH was scored 0, the area under the curve for failure at 6 months increased from 0.58 to 0.69.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, approximately 1 in 5 infants with PHH can expect to not require further intervention following ETV/CPC. The authors demonstrate that IVH symmetry is statistically predictive of ETV/CPC failure in this setting independent of all other parameters, where PHH infants with symmetric IVH are more likely to experience failure, and sooner, than PHH infants with asymmetric IVH. When discussing possible success rates of ETV/CPC for PHH, IVH symmetry should be considered.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for patients with Blake's pouch cyst with adult-onset hydrocephalus: Importance of improved cerebrospinal fluid flow in the prepontine cistern - A case report

Background

Blake's pouch cyst (BPC) is a posterior fossa cystic malformation that commonly occurs in children with rare adult onset. Herein, we report a case of adult onsets BPC.

Case Description

A 61-year-old man presented with gait and cognitive disturbance. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed scarring in the prepontine cistern, and cine phase-contrast MRI revealed no pulsation. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was performed with opening the scarring in the prepontine cistern. Postoperative cine phase-contrast MRI revealed that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in the prepontine cistern improved, resolving the patient's symptoms.

Conclusion

We report a case of adult-onset BPC. The mechanism by which is becomes symptomatic is still unclear. We opened the scar in prepontine cistern in addition to ETV with good results. In this report, we discussed the importance of the improvement in CSF dynamics in the prepontine cistern.

Choroid plexus epithelium and its role in neurological diseases

Choroid plexus epithelial cells can secrete cerebrospinal fluid into the ventricles, serving as the major structural basis of the selective barrier between the neurological system and blood in the brain. In fact, choroid plexus epithelial cells release the majority of cerebrospinal fluid, which is connected with particular ion channels in choroid plexus epithelial cells. Choroid plexus epithelial cells also produce and secrete a number of essential growth factors and peptides that help the injured cerebrovascular system heal. The pathophysiology of major neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, as well as minor brain damage diseases like hydrocephalus and stroke is still unknown. Few studies have previously connected choroid plexus epithelial cells to the etiology of these serious brain disorders. Therefore, in the hopes of discovering novel treatment options for linked conditions, this review extensively analyzes the association between choroid plexus epithelial cells and the etiology of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and hydrocephalus. Finally, we review CPE based immunotherapy, choroid plexus cauterization, choroid plexus transplantation, and gene therapy.

Failure of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an alternative to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Careful patient selection is critical as patient age, etiology of hydrocephalus, and previous shunting have been shown to influence ETV success rates. Intraoperatively, patient anatomy and medical stability may prevent or limit the completion of the ventriculostomy procedure, and findings such as a patulous third ventricular floor or cisternal scarring may portend a lower chance of successful hydrocephalus treatment. Patients in whom a ventriculostomy is completed may still experience continued symptoms of hydrocephalus or CSF leak, representing an early ETV failure. In other patients, the ETV may prove a durable treatment of hydrocephalus for several months or even years before recurrence of hydrocephalus symptoms. The failure pattern for ETV is different than that of shunting, with a higher early failure rate but improved long-term failure-free survival rates. The risk factors for failure, along with the presentation and management of failure, deserve review.

Improving Infant Hydrocephalus Outcomes in Uganda: A Longitudinal Prospective Study Protocol for Predicting Developmental Outcomes and Identifying Patients at Risk for Early Treatment Failure after ETV/CPC

Infant hydrocephalus poses a severe global health burden; 80% of cases occur in the developing world where patients have limited access to neurosurgical care. Surgical treatment combining endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC), first practiced at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU), is as effective as standard ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement while requiring fewer resources and less post-operative care. Although treatment focuses on controlling ventricle size, this has little association with treatment failure or long-term outcome. This study aims to monitor the progression of hydrocephalus and treatment response, and investigate the association between cerebral physiology, brain growth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes following surgery. We will enroll 300 infants admitted to CCHU for treatment. All patients will receive pre/post-operative measurements of cerebral tissue oxygenation (SO2), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) using frequency-domain near-infrared combined with diffuse correlation spectroscopies (FDNIRS-DCS). Infants will also receive brain imaging, to monitor tissue/ventricle volume, and neurodevelopmental assessments until two years of age. This study will provide a foundation for implementing cerebral physiological monitoring to establish evidence-based guidelines for hydrocephalus treatment. This paper outlines the protocol, clinical workflow, data management, and analysis plan of this international, multi-center trial.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy - A Review

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become a proven modality for treating obstructive and selected cases of communicating hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to summarize the indications, preoperative workup, surgical technique, results, postoperative care, complications, advantages, and limitations of an ETV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A thorough review of PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. This review is based on the relevant articles and authors' experience.

RESULTS

ETV is indicated in obstructive hydrocephalus and selected cases of communicating hydrocephalus. Studying preoperative imaging is critical, and a detailed assessment of interthalamic adhesions, the thickness of floor, arteries or membranes below the third ventricle floor, and prepontine cistern width is essential. Blunt perforation in a thin floor, while bipolar cautery at low settings and water jet dissection are preferred in a thick floor. The appearance of stoma pulsations and intraoperative ventriculostomography reassure stoma and basal cistern patency. The intraoperative decision for shunt, external ventricular drainage, or Ommaya reservoir can be taken. Magnetic resonance ventriculography and cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging can determine stoma patency. Good postoperative care with repeated cerebrospinal fluid drainage enhances outcomes in selected cases. Though the complications mostly occur in an early postoperative phase, delayed lethal ones may happen. Watching live surgeries, assisting expert surgeons, and practicing on cadavers and models can shorten the learning curve.

CONCLUSION

ETV is an excellent technique for managing obstructive and selected cases of communicating hydrocephalus. Good case selection, methodical technique, and proper training under experts are vital.

Hydrocephalus in Low and Middle-Income Countries - Progress and Challenges

Hydrocephalus remains one of the most commonly treated neurosurgical conditions worldwide. Caring for patients with hydrocephalus requires infrastructure and political support and initiative; these are often difficult to obtain in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Some innovations that have arisen in LMICs have traveled up the financial gradient to high-income countries, such as the combination of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus coagulation to manage hydrocephalus. The development of neuro-endoscopy has played a major role in managing hydrocephalus worldwide; however, LMICs still face specific challenges, such as limited access to shunt hardware, a disproportionately high incidence of post-infectious hydrocephalus, unique microbiological spectra, and often poor access to follow-up care and neuroimaging. This has received increased attention since the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. The goal of improving access to quality neurosurgical care through various initiatives in LMICs will be discussed in this manuscript. The need for neurosurgeons continues to grow in LMICs, where better access to neurosurgical care, adequate neurosurgical training and political support, and patient education are needed to improve the quality of life for patients with common neurosurgical conditions. Despite these challenges, treating hydrocephalus remains a worthwhile endeavor for many patients.

Hydrocephalus Caused by Primary Fourth Ventricle Outlet Obstruction: Our Experience and Literature Review

OBJECTIVE

Primary fourth ventricle outlet obstruction (PFVOO) is a rare cause of hydrocephalus with an unclear etiopathogenesis, and thus, consensus regarding the recommended treatment protocol is lacking. This study aims to summarize current knowledge of this condition in the light of our own treatment experience.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients treated for noncommunicating tetraventricular hydrocephalus between 2006 and 2019, from which a subgroup of patients with PFVOO was created. A literature review of PFVOO cases was also carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients with PFVOO were discovered, of whom 8 were treated at our institution, representing 3.8% of our patients with noncommunicating hydrocephalus. Patients most commonly presented with headaches, gait disturbance, or symptoms of intracranial hypertension. The mean follow-up duration was 75.4 months among our patients and 29.9 months in the literature. Most patients (54.8%) were treated by endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), with the remainder undergoing suboccipital craniotomy alone (17.7%) or in combination with shunt surgery (9.7%), or endoscopic magendieplasty (12.9%). Treatment failure was noted in 28.6% of ETVs and 9% of craniotomies. No failures were recorded after endoscopic magendieplasty. The risk of treatment failure was found to be significantly higher with ETV compared with other treatment modalities (P < 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the fact that PFVOO can be defined as an obstructive hydrocephalus, there seems to be a higher risk of ETV failure in such cases. The alternative treatment modalities presented are still recommended. Confirmation of these findings requires a larger multicenter study.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic third ventriculostomy for Blake's pouch cyst in adults

OBJECTIVE

The optimal treatment method for persistent Blake's pouch cyst (BPC) remains unclear owing to its low prevalence. We aimed to characterize a patient population with adult BPC and to identify the risk factors associated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for BPC. This study reports the largest number of BPC cases in adults and is the first report to reveal the long-term outcomes of ETV in such patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from seven adult patients with BPC between 2005 and 2019. They underwent ETV at the Kurume University Hospital and were followed up for five years or more. We extracted data regarding patient age, sex, clinical symptoms, radiological imaging, intraoperative findings and outcomes.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients ranged between 30 and 60 years (45 ± 12 years). The mean postoperative follow-up time was 92.1 ± 13.5 months. The overall success rate was 71.4%. The most frequent symptom was headache (86%), followed by mild cognitive impairment (71%). The average cerebrospinal fluid pressure was slightly elevated (18.4 ± 1.4 cmH2O). A decrease in ventricular size (Evans' index) detected early after ETV was associated with satisfactory clinical outcomes (p = 0.02). The incidence of prepontine scarring was observed in all cases of the ETV failure group. A significant risk factor for ETV was the to-and-fro movements of the third ventricle floor after ETV (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

ETV could be a safe and effective treatment option for adult patients with BPC. It is important that prepontine scarring and the to-and-fro movements of the third ventricle after ETV should be confirmed carefully when performing ETV on adult patients with BPC.

Comparison of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with or without choroid plexus cauterization in pediatric hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Pediatric hydrocephalus is a significant contributor to infant morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The mainstay of treatment has long been shunt placement for CSF diversion, but recent years have seen the rise of alternative procedures such as endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which provides similar efficacy in selected patients. The addition of choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) to ETV has been proposed to increase efficacy, but the evidence of its utility is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of ETV+CPC in comparison to ETV alone for the treatment of pediatric all-cause hydrocephalus.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ICRCTN databases were searched from conception through to October 2018 for comparative studies including both ETV+CPC and ETV in a pediatric population. The primary outcome was success rate, defined as no secondary procedure required for CSF diversion; secondary outcomes included time to failure, mortality, and complications. Data were pooled using random-effects models of meta-analysis, and relative risk (RR) was calculated.

RESULTS

Five studies were included for final qualitative and quantitative analysis, including 2 prospective and 3 retrospective studies representing a total of 963 patients. Overall, there was no significant difference in success rates between ETV and ETV+CPC (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.88-1.75, p = 0.21). However, a subgroup analysis including the 4 studies focusing on African cohorts demonstrated a significant benefit of ETV+CPC (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08-1.78, p = 0.01). There were no notable differences in complication rates among studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis failed to find an overall benefit to the addition of CPC to ETV; however, a subgroup analysis showed efficacy in sub-Saharan African populations. This points to the need for future randomized clinical trials investigating the efficacy of ETV+CPC versus ETV in varied patient populations and geographic locales.

[Hydrocephalus in newborns and infants at the Nouakchott National Hospital]

Neonatal and infant hydrocephalus is an important factor for mortality and morbidity in developing countries with limited diagnostic and therapeutic means. The purpose of this study was to report our experience in the management of this disease in Mauritania. We conducted a retrospective study of 126 medical records of newborns aged 0-24 months treated for hydrocephalus in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Nouakchott National Hospital from June 2014 to June 2018. Mean follow-up time was 15 months (9-27 months). The average age of patients was 5 months (2 days-20 months). Highest prevalence was observed among female babies (sex ratio 0.77). Our case series consisted of 45 newborns (35.7%) and 81 infants (64.3%). A history of infection during pregnancy was found in 19.8% of cases and neonatal infection in 23.8% of cases. Clinically, 87.3% had macrocephalus, 35.7% had psychomotor retardation and 15.8% refused to suckle. The main cause was myelomeningocele (23.8%), followed by meningitis (15.8%). Ventriculo-peritoneal derivation (VPD) was the first-line treatment in newborns (68.8%), while endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy (EDV) was the preferred approach in infants (74.1%). Overall complication rate was 26.1% (57.6% for VPD and 4.1% for EDV). Hydrocephalus is the most common disease treated by paediatric neurosurgeons in Africa. Management is usually delayed, hence the importance of prevention, especially of neural tube defects and infections.

The CURE Protocol: evaluation and external validation of a new public health strategy for treating paediatric hydrocephalus in low-resource settings

Introduction

Managing paediatric hydrocephalus with shunt placement is especially risky in resource-limited settings due to risks of infection and delayed life-threatening shunt obstruction. This study evaluated a new evidence-based treatment algorithm to reduce shunt-dependence in this context.

Methods

A prospective cohort design was used. The CURE Protocol employs preoperative and intraoperative data to choose between endoscopic treatment and shunt placement. Data were prospectively collected for 730 children in Uganda (managed by local neurosurgeons highly experienced in the protocol) and, for external validation, 96 children in Nigeria (managed by a local neurosurgeon trained in the protocol).

Results

The age distribution was similar between Uganda and Nigeria, but there were more cases of postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda (64.2% vs 26.0%, p<0.001). Initial treatment of hydrocephalus was similar at both centres and included either a shunt at first operation or endoscopic management without a shunt. The Nigerian cohort had a higher failure rate for endoscopic cases (adjusted HR 2.5 (95% CI 1.6 to 4.0), p<0.001), but not for shunt cases (adjusted HR 1.3 (0.5 to 3.0), p=0.6). Despite the difference in endoscopic failure rates, a similar proportion of the entire cohort was successfully treated without need for shunt at 6 months (55.2% in Nigeria vs 53.4% in Uganda, p=0.74).

Conclusion

Use of the CURE Protocol in two centres with different populations and surgeon experience yielded similar 6-month results, with over half of all children remaining shunt-free. Where feasible, this could represent a better public health strategy in low-resource settings than primary shunt placement.

A Systematic Review of Neurosurgical Care in Low-Income Countries

OBJECTIVE

More than 5 billion individuals lack access to essential surgical care. Neurosurgical care is especially limited in low-income countries (LICs). Studies describing neurosurgical care in LICs are critical for understanding global disparities in access to neurosurgical procedures. To better understand these disparities, we conducted a systematic review of the literature identifying neurosurgical patients in LICs.

METHODS

MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (embase.com), and Cochrane Library (Wiley) databases were systematically searched to retrieve studies describing neurosurgical care in LICs as defined by the World Bank Country and Lending Groups income classification. All databases were searched from their inception; no date or language limits were applied. All the articles were blindly reviewed by 2 individuals. Data from eligible studies were extracted and summarized.

RESULTS

Of the 4377 citations screened, 154 studies met inclusion criteria. The number of publications substantially increased over the study period, with 49% (n = 76) of studies published in the last 5 years. Twenty-six percent (n = 40) of studies had a first author, and 30% (n = 46) had a senior author, affiliated with a country different from the LIC of study. The most common neurosurgical diagnosis was traumatic brain injury (24%, n = 37), followed by hydrocephalus (26%, n = 40), and neoplastic intracranial mass (10%, n = 16). Of LICs, 43% (n = 15/35) had no published neurosurgical literature.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant deficit in the literature on neurosurgical care in LICs. Efforts must focus on supporting research initiatives in LICs to improve publication bias and understand disparities in access to neurosurgical care in the lowest-resource countries.

Converting Pediatric Patients and Young Adults From a Shunt to a Third Ventriculostomy: A Multicenter Evaluation

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an effective primary treatment for certain forms of hydrocephalus. However, its use in children with an existing shunt is less well known.

OBJECTIVE

To report a multicenter experience in attempting to convert patients from shunt dependence to a third ventriculostomy and to determine predictors of success.

METHODS

Three participating centers provided retrospectively collected information on patients with an attempted conversion from a shunt to an ETV between December 1, 2008, and April 1, 2018. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were recorded. Success was defined as shunt independence at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Eighty patients with an existing ventricular shunt underwent an ETV. The median age at the time of the index ETV was 9.9 yr, and 44 (55%) patients were male. The overall success rate was 64% (51/80), with a median duration of follow-up of 2.0 yr (range, 0.1-9.4 yr). Four patients required a successful repeat ETV at a median of 1.7 yr (range, 0.1-5.7 yr) following the index ETV. Only age was predictive of ETV failure on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.86 [95% CI 0.78-0.94], P = .005). No patient less than 6 mo of age underwent an ETV, and of the 5 patients between 6 and 12 mo of age, 4 failed.

CONCLUSION

Although not every shunted patient will be a candidate for an ETV, nor will they be successfully converted, an ETV should at least be considered in every child who presents with a shunt malfunction or who has an externalized shunt.

Controlled Trial to Compare Therapeutic Efficacy of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Plus Choroid Plexus Cauterization with Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt in Infants with Obstructive Hydrocephalus

Context:

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) are the established surgical treatments for obstructive hydrocephalus (HCP). Powerful evidence regarding the best therapeutic approach for infants with obstructive HCP is lacked.

Aims:

Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of VP shunt and ETV/choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) in infants with obstructive HCP.

Settings and Design:

This was a randomized, active control, unblind, single-center, clinical trial.

Methods:

Infants with obstructive HCP were randomly allocated to each intervention group (ETV/CPC or VP shunt). They were monitored for at least 6 months for any sign of raised intracranial pressure (rICP). The recurrence of rICP signs requiring surgical intervention was considered as intervention failure.

Statistical Analysis:

The association between intervention group and outcome was tested with Chi-square test, and P = 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Of the total fifty patients entering the study, 49 were included in the final analysis, 27 of them were in VP shunt and 22 in ETV/CPC group. Seventeen patients (34%) were female and 33 (66%) were male with mean age of 3.74 ± 3.1 months (range = 10 days – 11 months). Thirty-nine (79.6%) were under 6 months of age and the remaining were 6 months or older. The overall success rate in 36-month follow-up was 88.5% and 68.2% for VP shunt and ETV/CPC, respectively, with the difference being not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The current study determined no inferiority of ETV/CPC compared to VP shunt, and therefore, it may become an efficient treatment for obstructive HCP in infants.

Endoscopic Treatment versus Shunting for Infant Hydrocephalus in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Postinfectious hydrocephalus in infants is a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. The conventional treatment is ventriculoperitoneal shunting, but surgeons are usually not immediately available to revise shunts when they fail. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV-CPC) is an alternative treatment that is less subject to late failure but is also less likely than shunting to result in a reduction in ventricular size that might facilitate better brain growth and cognitive outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate cognitive outcomes after ETV-CPC versus ventriculoperitoneal shunting in Ugandan infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus. The primary outcome was the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition (BSID-3), cognitive scaled score 12 months after surgery (scores range from 1 to 19, with higher scores indicating better performance). The secondary outcomes were BSID-3 motor and language scores, treatment failure (defined as treatment-related death or the need for repeat surgery), and brain volume measured on computed tomography.

RESULTS

A total of 100 infants were enrolled; 51 were randomly assigned to undergo ETV-CPC, and 49 were assigned to undergo ventriculoperitoneal shunting. The median BSID-3 cognitive scores at 12 months did not differ significantly between the treatment groups (a score of 4 for ETV-CPC and 2 for ventriculoperitoneal shunting; Hodges-Lehmann estimated difference, 0; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2 to 0; P=0.35). There was no significant difference between the ETV-CPC group and the ventriculoperitoneal-shunt group in BSID-3 motor or language scores, rates of treatment failure (35% and 24%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3 to 1.5; P=0.24), or brain volume (z score, -2.4 and -2.1, respectively; estimated difference, 0.3; 95% CI, -0.3 to 1.0; P=0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

This single-center study involving Ugandan infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus showed no significant difference between endoscopic ETV-CPC and ventriculoperitoneal shunting with regard to cognitive outcomes at 12 months. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01936272 .).

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy to address hydrocephalus in Africa: A call for education and community-based rehabilitation

PURPOSE

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) and Choroid Plexus Cautery (CPC) are low-cost, safe, and promising interventions for spina bifida-associated hydrocephalus (SBHCP). The purpose of this review was to explore and describe these efforts in Africa in order to upscale surgical training and rehabilitation services.

METHODS

A PubMed search for articles on ETV and CPC as management of SBHCP in Africa was performed. Two authors appraised the results for key themes in content: indications, technique, outcomes, complications, education, and rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Twenty of 47 articles identified were included for appraisal. Twelve described indications, ten and seven outlined technique and complications, respectively, and four described predictors of operative success. Fourteen studies describe outcomes, including operative and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Only two outlined educational efforts. Half of the literature stems from a single site in Uganda; in total, only six countries were represented. No articles described significant post-operative rehabilitation services or related training.

CONCLUSION

The experience of ETV and CPC in Africa is promising, however, efforts to train and empower local staff in surgical technique and methods to upscale post-operative community-based rehabilitation services remain as a key to long-term success.

Past, Present, and Future of Neurosurgery in Uganda

Neurosurgery in Uganda was virtually non-existent up until late 1960s. This changed when Dr. Jovan Kiryabwire spearheaded development of a neurosurgical unit at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. His work ethic and vision set the stage for rapid expansion of neurosurgical care in Uganda.At the beginning of the 2000s, Uganda was a country of nearly 30 million people, but had only 4 neurosurgeons. Neurosurgery's progress was plagued by challenges faced by many developing countries, such as difficulty retaining specialists, lack of modern hospital resources, and scarce training facilities. To combat these challenges 2 distinct programs were launched: 1 by Dr. Benjamin Warf in collaboration with CURE International, and the other by Dr. Michael Haglund from Duke University. Dr. Warf's program focused on establishing a facility for pediatric neurosurgery. Dr. Haglund's program to increase neurosurgical capacity was founded on a "4 T's Paradigm": Technology, Twinning, Training, and Top-Down. Embedded within this paradigm was the notion that Uganda needed to train its own people to become neurosurgeons, and thus Duke helped establish the country's first neurosurgery residency training program.Efforts from overseas, including the tireless work of Dr. Benjamin Warf, have saved thousands of children's lives. The influx of the Duke Program caused a dynamic shift at Mulago Hospital with dramatic effects, as evidenced by the substantial increase in neurosurgical capacity. The future looks bright for neurosurgery in Uganda and it all traces back to a rural village where 1 man had a vision to help the people of his country.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and repeat endoscopic third ventriculostomy in pediatric patients: the Dutch experience

OBJECTIVE After endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), some patients develop recurrent symptoms of hydrocephalus. The optimal treatment for these patients is not clear: repeat ETV (re-ETV) or CSF shunting. The goals of the study were to assess the effectiveness of re-ETV relative to initial ETV in pediatric patients and validate the ETV success score (ETVSS) for re-ETV. METHODS Retrospective data of 624 ETV and 93 re-ETV procedures were collected from 6 neurosurgical centers in the Netherlands (1998-2015). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to provide an adjusted estimate of the hazard ratio for re-ETV failure relative to ETV failure. The correlation coefficient between ETVSS and the chance of re-ETV success was calculated using Kendall's tau coefficient. Model discrimination was quantified using the c-statistic. The effects of intraoperative findings and management on re-ETV success were also analyzed. RESULTS The hazard ratio for re-ETV failure relative to ETV failure was 1.23 (95% CI 0.90-1.69; p = 0.20). At 6 months, the success rates for both ETV and re-ETV were 68%. ETVSS was significantly related to the chances of re-ETV success (τ = 0.37; 95% bias corrected and accelerated CI 0.21-0.52; p < 0.001). The c-statistic was 0.74 (95% CI 0.64-0.85). The presence of prepontine arachnoid membranes and use of an external ventricular drain (EVD) were negatively associated with treatment success, with ORs of 4.0 (95% CI 1.5-10.5) and 9.7 (95% CI 3.4-27.8), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Re-ETV seems to be as safe and effective as initial ETV. ETVSS adequately predicts the chance of successful re-ETV. The presence of prepontine arachnoid membranes and the use of EVD negatively influence the chance of success.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy: Success and Failure

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has now become an accepted mode of hydrocephalus treatment in children. Varying degrees of success for the procedure have been reported depending on the type and etiology of hydrocephalus, age of the patient and certain technical parameters. Review of these factors for predictability of success, complications and validation of success score is presented.

Comparative effectiveness of flexible versus rigid neuroendoscopy for endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization: a propensity score-matched cohort and survival analysis

OBJECTIVE Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)/choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) has become an increasingly common technique for the treatment of infant hydrocephalus. Both flexible and rigid neuroendoscopy can be used, with little empirical evidence directly comparing the two. Therefore, the authors used a propensity score-matched cohort and survival analysis to assess the comparative efficacy of flexible and rigid neuroendoscopy. METHODS Individual data were collected through retrospective review of infants younger than 2 years of age, treated at 1 of 2 hospitals: 1) Boston Children's Hospital, exclusively utilizing flexible neuroendoscopy, and 2) Nicklaus Children's Hospital-Jackson Memorial Hospital, exclusively utilizing rigid neuroendoscopy. Patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes were assessed. A propensity score model was developed to balance patient characteristics in the case mix. RESULTS A propensity score model for neuroendoscope type was developed with 5 independent variables: chronological age, sex, hydrocephalus etiology, prior CSF diversion, and prepontine scarring. Propensity score decile-adjusted and 1-to-1 nearest-neighbor matching analysis revealed that compared with flexible neuroendoscopy, rigid neuroendoscopy had an ETV/CPC failure odds ratio (OR) of 1.43 (p = 0.31) and 1.31 (p = 0.47), respectively, compared with an unadjusted OR of 2.40 (p = 0.034). Furthermore, in a Cox regression analysis controlled by propensity score, rigid neuroendoscopy had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.10 (p = 0.70), compared with an unadjusted HR of 1.61 (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS Although unadjusted analysis suggested worse ETV/CPC outcomes for infants treated by rigid neuroendoscopy, much of the difference could be attributed to the case mix and other predictors of outcome. A larger sample observational study or randomized controlled trials are required to provide evidence-based guidelines on ETV/CPC technique.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization for infantile hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy/choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) has gained popularity in its treatment of infantile hydrocephalus over the past decade. In this manuscript, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of ETV/CPC, and to compare the procedural outcomes between North American and sub-Saharan African cohorts.

METHODS

Systematic review was performed using four electronic databases and bibliographies of relevant articles, with no language or date restrictions. Cohort studies of participants undergoing ETV/CPC that reported outcome were included using MOOSE guidelines. The outcome was time to repeat CSF diversion or death. Forest plots were created for pooled mean and its 95 % CI of outcome and morbidity.

RESULTS

Of 78 citations, 11 retrospective reviews (with 524 total participants) were eligible. Efficacy was achieved in 63 % participants at follow-up periods between 6 months and 8 years. Adverse events and mortality was reported in 3.7 and 0.4 % of participants, respectively. Publication bias was detected with respect to efficacy and morbidity of the procedure. A large discrepancy in success was identified between ETV/CPC in six studies from sub-Saharan Africa (71 %), compared to three studies from North America (49 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The reported success of ETV/CPC for infantile hydrocephalus is higher in sub-Saharan Africa than developed nations. Large long-term prospective multi-center observational studies addressing patient-important outcomes are required to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of this re-emerging procedure.

Is the endoscopic third ventriculostomy success score an appropriate tool to inform clinical decision-making?

INTRODUCTION

The endoscopic third ventriculostomy success score (ETVSS) is a model, which provides each patient with a prediction of the outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy. The objective of this study was to determine if there is clinical value to the use of the ETVSS in the decision for ETV.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data on all ETV procedures with the Republic of Ireland in children ≤16 years of age, totalling 112, from 2008 to 2014 was analysed. The percentage chance of success at six months was retrospectively calculated according to the ETVSS. A multivariable model, comprising the risk factors from the ETVSS - age, aetiology and previous shunt - was created and its performance compared to that of the ETVSS.

RESULTS

The ETVSS achieved an AUC of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.49-0.71) with a sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 76%, respectively, at its optimal cutoff. The ETVSS was not significantly well calibrated in this cohort and there was a limited net benefit on decision curve analysis in comparison with the strategy of performing ETV in all patients. The multivariable model achieved an AUC of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.56-0.78), was well calibrated and was associated with a superior net benefit over that of the ETVSS.

CONCLUSION

The ETVSS represents the future of patient risk stratification with an easy to use, individualised approach for each patient. The ETVSS has performed adequately in this study. However, through the addition of novel risk factors, the continuous updating of the model and recalibration where needed, the ETVSS can become a tool that the paediatric neurosurgeon cannot do without.

Surgeon interrater reliability in the endoscopic assessment of cistern scarring and aqueduct patency

OBJECTIVE The success of endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization may have associations with age, etiology of hydrocephalus, previous shunting, cisternal scarring, and possibly aqueduct patency. This study aimed to measure interrater reliability among surgeons in identifying cisternal scarring and aqueduct patency. METHODS Using published definitions of cistern scarring and aqueduct patency, 7 neuroendoscopists with training from Dr. Warf in Uganda and 7 neuroendoscopists who were not trained by Dr. Warf rated cistern status from 30 operative videos and aqueduct patency from 26 operative videos. Interrater agreement was calculated using Fleiss' kappa coefficient (κ). Fisher's 2-tailed exact test was used to identify differences in the rates of agreement between the Warf-trained and nontrained groups compared with Dr. Warf's reference answer. RESULTS Aqueduct status, among all raters, showed substantial agreement with κ = 0.663 (confidence interval [CI] 0.626-0.701); within the trained group and nontrained groups, there was substantial agreement with κ = 0.677 (CI 0.593-0.761) and κ = 0.631 (CI 0.547-0.715), respectively. The identification of cistern scarring was less reliable, with moderate agreement among all raters with κ = 0.536 (CI 0.501-0.571); within the trained group and nontrained groups, there was moderate agreement with κ = 0.555 (CI 0.477-0.633) and κ = 0.542 (CI 0.464-0.620), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of agreement between groups compared with Dr. Warf's reference. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of training with Dr. Warf, all neuroendoscopists could identify scarred cisterns and aqueduct patency with similar reliability, emphasizing the strength of the published definitions. This makes the identification of this risk factor for failure generalizable for surgical decision making and research studies.

Bilateral occipital endoscopic choroid plexus cauterization for persistent hydrocephalus following frontal endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization--the "bowling ball" technique

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) as a primary treatment for hydrocephalus is gaining popularity in North America, particularly among the infant population. Unfortunately, despite considerable experience with ETV/CPC at several centers, treatment failures still exist. Early reports have suggested that greater than 90 % cauterization of the choroid plexus is associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, individual patient anatomy and smaller overall ventricular size can limit the amount of choroid plexus cauterization that is technically possible through a single frontal burr hole. Furthermore, the degree of cauterization achieved by surgeons using this technique is difficult to quantify objectively. In this report, we describe the case of an infant who failed initial ETV/CPC but then had successful resolution of hydrocephalus after additional choroid plexus cauterization performed through bilateral occipital burr holes. The child remains shunt-free over a year after treatment, suggesting that this three-pronged CPC approach (the "bowling ball" technique) may be successful in some young children with persistent hydrocephalus after ETV/CPC from a single frontal burr hole.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization with a rigid neuroendoscope in infants with hydrocephalus

OBJECT Combining endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) has been shown to improve the success rate compared with ETV alone in infants (less than 24 months) with hydrocephalus who were treated in developing countries. The authors sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure, using a rigid neuroendoscope, in a single North American center, and to assess whether the ETV success score (ETVSS), the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda ETVSS (CCHU ETVSS), and other pre- and intraoperative variables could predict success. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of consecutive ETV/CPC procedures performed using a rigid neuroendoscope to treat infantile hydrocephalus. The infants underwent the procedure at Miami Children's Hospital between January 2007 and 2014, with at least one postoperative follow-up. Duration of follow-up or time to failure of ETV/CPC, the primary outcome measure, was documented. A repeat CSF diversion procedure or death was considered as a failure of ETV/CPC. The time to event was measured using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. The authors analyzed ETVSS, CCHU ETVSS, and pre- and intraoperative variables to determine their suitability to predict success. RESULTS Eighty-five patients (45 boys) with a mean age of 4.3 months (range 1 day to 20 months) underwent ETV/CPC. Etiology included intraventricular hemorrhage of prematurity in 44 patients (51.7%), myelomeningocele (MMC) in 7 (8.2%), congenital aqueductal stenosis in 12 (14.1%), congenital communicating hydrocephalus in 6 (7.1%), Dandy-Walker complex in 6 (7.1%), postinfectious hydrocephalus in 5 (5.8%), and other cause in 5 (5.8%). Six procedure-related complications occurred in 5 (5.8%) patients, including 2 hygromas, 1 CSF leak, and 3 infections. There were 3 mortalities in this cohort. ETV/CPC was successful in 42.1%, 37.7%, and 36.8% of patients at 6, 12, and 24 months follow-up, respectively. The median (95% CI) time to ETV/CPC failure was 4.0 months (0.9-7.1 months). In univariate analyses, both the ETVSS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05; p = 0.004) and CCHU ETVSS (HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.04-2.09; p = .028) were predictive of outcome following ETV/CPC. In multivariate analysis, the presence of prepontine scarring was associated with ETV/CPC failure (HR 0.34; 95% CI 0.19-0.63; p < 0.001). Other variables, such as radiological criteria (prepontine interval, prepontine space, aqueductal stenosis, Third Ventricular Morphology Index) and intraoperative findings (ventriculostomy pulsations, extent of CPC), did not predict outcome. CONCLUSIONS ETV/CPC is a feasible alternative to ETV and ventriculoperitoneal shunt in infants with hydrocephalus. Both the ETVSS and CCHU ETVSS predicted success following ETV/CPC in this single-center North American cohort of patients.

Neurosurgery Education and Development program to treat hydrocephalus and to develop neurosurgery in Africa using mobile neuroendoscopic training

OBJECT A shortage of neurosurgeons and a lack of knowledge of neuroendoscopic management of hydrocephalus limits modern care in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, a mobile teaching project for endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) procedures and a subsequent program to develop neurosurgery as a permanent specialty in Kenya and Zanzibar were created and sponsored by the Neurosurgery Education and Development (NED) Foundation and the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery. The objective of this work was to evaluate the results of surgical training and medical care in both projects from 2006 to 2013. METHODS Two portable neuroendoscopy systems were purchased and a total of 38 ETV workshops were organized in 21 hospitals in 7 different countries. Additionally, 49 medical expeditions were dispatched to the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, and to the Mnazi Moja Hospital in Zanzibar. RESULTS From the first project, a total of 376 infants with hydrocephalus received surgery. Six-month follow-up was achieved in 22%. In those who received follow-up, ETV efficacy was 51%. The best success rates were achieved with patients 1 year of age or older with aqueductal stenosis (73%). The main causes of hydrocephalus were infection (56%) and spina bifida (23%). The mobile education program interacted with 72 local surgeons and 122 nurses who were trained in ETV procedures. The second project involved 49 volunteer neurosurgeons who performed a total of 360 nonhydrocephalus neurosurgical operations since 2009. Furthermore, an agreement with the local government was signed to create the Mnazi Mmoja NED Institute in Zanzibar. CONCLUSIONS Mobile endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus in East Africa results in reasonable success rates and has also led to major developments in medicine, particularly in the development of neurosurgery specialty care sites.

Reopening of an obstructed third ventriculostomy: long-term success and factors affecting outcome in 215 infants

OBJECT

The role of reopening an obstructed endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) as treatment for ETV failure is not well defined. The authors studied 215 children with ETV closure who underwent successful repeat ETV to determine the indications, long-term success, and factors affecting outcome.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda database from August 2001 through December 2012, identifying 215 children with failed ETV (with or without prior choroid plexus cauterization [CPC]) who underwent reopening of an obstructed ETV stoma. Treatment survival according to sex, age at first and second operation, time to failure of first operation, etiology of hydrocephalus, prior CPC, and mode of ETV obstruction (simple stoma closure, second membrane, or cisternal obstruction from arachnoid scarring) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Survival differences among groups were assessed using log-rank and Wilcoxon methods and a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

There were 125 boys and 90 girls with mean and median ages of 229 and 92 days, respectively, at the initial ETV. Mean and median ages at repeat ETV were 347 and 180 days, respectively. Postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) was the etiology in 126 patients, and nonpostinfectious hydrocephalus (NPIH) in 89. Overall estimated 7-year success for repeat ETV was 51%. Sex (p = 0.46, log-rank test; p = 0.54, Wilcoxon test), age (< vs > 6 months) at initial or repeat ETV (p = 0.08 initial, p = 0.13 repeat; log-rank test), and type of ETV obstruction (p = 0.61, log-rank test) did not affect outcome for repeat ETV (p values ≥ 0.05, Cox regression). Those with a longer time to failure of initial ETV (> 6 months 91%, 3-6 months 60%, < 3 months 42%, p < 0.01; log-rank test), postinfectious etiology (PIH 58% vs NPIH 42%, p = 0.02; log-rank and Wilcoxon tests) and prior CPC (p = 0.03, log-rank and Wilcoxon tests) had significantly better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeat ETV was successful in half of the patients overall, and was more successful in association with later failures, prior CPC, and PIH. Obstruction of the original ETV by secondary arachnoid scarring was not a negative prognostic factor, and should not discourage the surgeon from proceeding. Repeat ETV may be a more durable solution to failed ETV/CPC than shunt placement in this context, especially for failures at more than 3 months after the initial ETV. Some ETV closures may result from an inflammatory response that is less robust at the second operation.

Combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization as primary treatment for infant hydrocephalus: a prospective North American series

OBJECT

Combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) enhances the likelihood of shunt freedom over ETV alone, and thus avoidance of shunt-related morbidity, in hydrocephalic infants. To date, virtually all published reports describe experiences in Africa, thus hampering generalization to other parts of the world. Here, the authors report the first North American prospective series of this combined approach to treat hydrocephalus of various etiologies in infants.

METHODS

A prospective series of 50 boys and 41 girls (mean and median ages 4.7 and 3.2 months, respectively) with hydrocephalus underwent ETV/CPC performed by the senior author at Boston Children's Hospital from August 2009 through March 2014. Success data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The 91 patients treated included those with aqueductal stenosis (23), myelomeningocele (23), posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (25), Dandy-Walker complex (6), post-infectious hydrocephalus (6), and other conditions (8). Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, 57% of patients required no further hydrocephalus treatment at 1 year. Moreover, 65% remained shunt free to the limit of available follow-up (maximum roughly 4 years). A Cox proportional hazards model identified the following independent predictors of ETV/CPC failure: post-infectious etiology, age at treatment younger than 6 months, prepontine cistern scarring, and prior CSF diversion. Of patients with at least 6 months of follow-up, the overall ETV/CPC success at 6 months (59%) exceeded that predicted by the ETV Success Score (45%). Complications included 1 CSF leak and 1 transient syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and there were no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

ETV/CPC is an effective, safe, and durable treatment for infant hydrocephalus in a North American population, with 1-year success rates similar to those reported in Africa and equivalent to those for primary shunt placement in North America. These findings underscore the need for prospective multicenter studies of the outcomes, quality of life, and economic impact of the procedure compared with primary shunt insertion.

[Treatment of child hydrocephalus by endoscopic third ventriculostomy in Senegal]

INTRODUCTION

Since its advent, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been an effective alternative to shunt placement for the treatment of hydrocephalus. The aim of this study was to report the results of our experience with this technique in children in Senegal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 70 cases of children aged between 5 months to 15 years who were treated by ETV in the Neurosurgery Department of Fann Hospital in Dakar, between January 2010 to December 2012. The results were evaluated based on the clinical criteria of Drake and the Canadian Pediatric Neurosurgery Study Group. The mean follow-up duration was 24 months (9-32 months).

RESULTS

The mean age at diagnosis was 29 months. A male predominance (sex-ratio 1/3) was observed. We also noted a macrocephaly in 64.4 % of cases, psychomotor retardation in 40 % and decreased vision in 31.4 %. Headache and vomiting were found in 42.8 % and 61.4 % respectively. The main etiology was a stenosis of the mesencephalon aqueduct (30 %), followed by a Dandy-Walker malformation (25.7 %). Significant intraoperative bleeding was found in 2.8 % of patients. The most common postoperative complication was CSF leakage (18.6 %), followed by infections (14.2 %). The success rate according to the clinical criteria of Drake was 71.4 %. This success rate was influenced by the age of patients and the hydrocephalus etiology. No deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic third ventriculostomy is a simple, safe and effective technique. Its advantages in terms of quality of life and morbidity compared with bypass valves makes it the technique of choice, particularly in developing countries.

Ventricular endoscopy in the pediatric population: review of indications

INTRODUCTION

Neuroendoscopy has greatly impacted pediatric neurosurgery over the past few decades. Improved optics and microsurgical tools have allowed neuroendoscopes to be used for a multitude of neurosurgical procedures.

DISCUSSION

In this review article, we present the breadth of intraventricular neuroendoscopic procedures for the treatment of conditions ranging from hydrocephalus and brain tumors to congenital cysts and other pathologies. We critically discuss treatment indications and reported success rates for neuroendoscopic procedures. We also present novel approaches, technical nuances, and variations from recently published literature and as practiced in the authors' institution.

Predicting endoscopic third ventriculostomy success in childhood hydrocephalus: an artificial neural network analysis

OBJECT

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be used as a measure for the clinical decision-making process. The aim of this study was to develop an ANN model to predict endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) success at 6 months and to compare the findings with those obtained using traditional predictive measures in childhood hydrocephalus.

METHODS

The ANN, ETV Success Score (ETVSS), CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU) ETV (CCHU ETV) Success Score, and logistic regression models were applied to predict outcomes. The cause of hydrocephalus, patient age, whether choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) was performed, previous shunt surgery, sex, type of hydrocephalus, and body weight were considered as input variables for an established ANN model. Data from hydrocephalic children who underwent ETV were applied, and the computer program that analyzes the data was trained to predict successful ETV by using several input variables. Successful ETV outcome was defined as the absence of ETV failure within 6 months of follow-up. Then, sensitivity analysis was performed for the established ANN model to identify the most important variables that predict outcome. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy rate of the prediction, and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics were measured to test different prediction models.

RESULTS

Data for 168 patients (80 males and 88 females; mean age 1.4 ± 2.6 years) were analyzed. Data from patients were divided into 3 groups: a training group (n = 84), a testing group (n = 42), and a validation group (n = 42). The successful ETV outcome rate, defined as the absence of ETV failure within 6 months of follow-up, was 47%. Etiology, age, CPC status, type of hydrocephalus, and previous shunt placement were the most important variables that were indicated by the ANN analysis. Compared with the ETVSS, CCHU ETV Success Score, and the logistic regression models, the ANN model showed better results, with an accuracy rate of 95.1%, a Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic of 41.2, and an area under the curve of 0.87.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings show that ANNs can predict ETV success at 6 months with a high level of accuracy in childhood hydrocephalus. The authors' results will need to be confirmed with further prospective studies.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity

OBJECT

The aim of this study was to determine the role of endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) in the management of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity (PHHP) and to analyze which factors affect patient outcomes.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 27 premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hydrocephalus treated with ETV and CPC from 2008 to 2011. All patients were evaluated using MRI before the procedure to verify the anatomical feasibility of ETV/CPC. Endoscopic treatment included third ventriculostomy, septostomy, and bilateral CPC. After ETV/CPC, all patients underwent follow-up for a period of 6-40 months (mean 16.2 months). The procedure was considered a failure if the patient subsequently required a shunt. The following factors were analyzed to determine a relationship to patient outcomes: gestational age at birth, corrected age and weight at surgery, timing of surgery after birth, grade of IVH, the status of the prepontine cistern and cerebral aqueduct on MRI, need for a ventricular access device prior to the endoscopic procedure, and scarring of the prepontine cistern noted at surgery.

RESULTS

Seventeen (63%) of 27 patients required a shunt after ETV/CPC, and 10 patients did not require further CSF diversion. Several factors studied were associated with a higher rate of ETV/CPC failure: Grade IV hemorrhage, weight 3 kg or less and age younger than 3 months at the time of surgery, need for reservoir placement, and presence of a normal cerebral aqueduct. Two factors were found to be statistically significant: the patient's corrected gestational age of less than 0 weeks at surgery and a narrow prepontine cistern on MRI. The majority (83%) of ETV/CPC failures occurred in the first 3 months after the procedure. None of the patients had a complication directly related to the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy/CPC is a safe initial procedure for hydrocephalus in premature infants with IVH and hydrocephalus, obviating the need for a shunt in selected patients. Even though the success rate is low (37%), the lower rate of complications in comparison with shunt treatment may justify this procedure in the initial management of hydrocephalus. As several of the studied factors have shown influence on the outcome, patient selection based on these observations might increase the success rate.

Choroid plexus coagulation for hydrocephalus not due to CSF overproduction: a review

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to review the role of choroid plexus coagulation (CPC) for hydrocephalus not due to CSF overproduction.

METHODS

The literatures covering CPC/cauterization/extirpation and ablation searched through PubMed were reviewed.

RESULTS

The history of CPC goes back to early 1900s by open surgery. It has evolved to mainly an endoscopic surgery since 1930s. With the development of other treatment methods and the understanding of CSF dynamics, the application of CPC dramatically decreased by 1970s. In late 2000, there was a resurgence of CPC in combination with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) performed in Africa.

CONCLUSIONS

CPC remains one of the options for the treatment of hydrocephalus in selected cases. CPC might provide a temporary reduction in CSF production to allow the further development of CSF absorption in infant. Adding CPC to ETV for infants with communicating hydrocephalus may increase the shunt independent rate thus avoiding the consequence of late complication related to the shunt device. This is important for patients who are difficult to be followed up, due to geographical and/or socioeconomic constrains. Adding CPC to ETV for obstructive hydrocephalus in infant may also increase the successful rate. Furthermore, CPC may be an option for cases with high chance of shunt complication such as hydranencephaly. In addition, CPC may act as an adjunct therapeutic measure for complex cases such as multiloculated hydrocephalus. In comparison with the traditional treatment of CSF shunting, the role of CPC needs to be further evaluated in particular concerning the neurocognitive development.

Shunt survival after failed endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus

OBJECT

It is not known whether previous endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) affects the risk of shunt failure. Different epochs of hydrocephalus treatment at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU)-initially placing CSF shunts in all patients, then attempting ETV in all patients, and finally attempting ETV combined with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) in all patients-provided the opportunity to assess whether prior endoscopic surgery affected shunt survival.

METHODS

With appropriate institutional approvals, the authors reviewed the CCHU clinical database to identify 2329 patients treated for hydrocephalus from December 2000 to May 2007. Initial ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement was performed in 900 patients under one of three circumstances: 1) primary nonselective VP shunt placement with no endoscopy (255 patients); 2) VP shunt placement at the time of abandoned ETV attempt (with or without CPC) (370 patients); 3) VP shunt placement subsequent to a completed but failed ETV (with or without CPC) (275 patients). We analyzed time to shunt failure using the Kaplan-Meier method to construct survival curves, Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, and risk-adjusted analyses to account for possible confounding differences among these groups.

RESULTS

Shunt failure occurred in 299 patients, and the mean duration of follow-up for the remaining 601 was 28.7 months (median 18.8, interquartile range 4.1-46.3). There was no significant difference in operative mortality (p = 0.07 by log-rank and p = 0.14 by Cox regression adjusted for age and hydrocephalus etiology) or shunt infection (p = 0.94, log-rank) among the 3 groups. There was no difference in shunt survival between patients treated with primary shunt placement and those who underwent shunt placement at the time of an abandoned ETV attempt (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% CI 0.86-1.51, p = 0.35). Those who underwent shunt placement after a completed but failed ETV (with or without CPC) had a lower risk of shunt failure (p = 0.008, log-rank), with a hazard ratio (adjusted for age at shunting and etiology) of 0.72 (95% CI 0.53-0.98), p = 0.03, compared with those who underwent primary shunt placement without endoscopy; but this was observed only in patients with postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH) (adjusted HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36-0.85, p = 0.007), and no effect was apparent for hydrocephalus of noninfectious etiologies (adjusted HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.64-1.50, p = 0.92). Improved shunt survival after failed ETV in the PIH group may be an artifact of selection arising from the inherent heterogeneity of ventricular damage within that group, or a consequence of the timing of shunt placement. The anticipated benefit of CPC in preventing future ventricular catheter obstruction was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A paradigm for infant hydrocephalus involving intention to treat by ETV with or without CPC had no adverse effect on mortality or on subsequent shunt survival or infection risk. This study failed to demonstrate a positive effect of prior ETV or CPC on shunt survival.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is considered as a treatment of choice for obstructive hydrocephalus. It is indicated in hydrocephalus secondary to congenital aqueductal stenosis, posterior third ventricle tumor, cerebellar infarct, Dandy-Walker malformation, vein of Galen aneurism, syringomyelia with or without Chiari malformation type I, intraventricular hematoma, post infective, normal pressure hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele, multiloculated hydrocephalus, encephalocele, posterior fossa tumor and craniosynostosis. It is also indicated in block shunt or slit ventricle syndrome. Proper Pre-operative imaging for detailed assessment of the posterior communicating arteries distance from mid line, presence or absence of Liliequist membrane or other membranes, located in the prepontine cistern is useful. Measurement of lumbar elastance and resistance can predict patency of cranial subarachnoid space and complex hydrocephalus, which decides an ultimate outcome. Water jet dissection is an effective technique of ETV in thick floor. Ultrasonic contact probe can be useful in selected patients. Intra-operative ventriculo-stomography could help in confirming the adequacy of endoscopic procedure, thereby facilitating the need for shunt. Intraoperative observations of the patent aqueduct and prepontine cistern scarring are predictors of the risk of ETV failure. Such patients may be considered for shunt surgery. Magnetic resonance ventriculography and cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging are effective in assessing subarachnoid space and stoma patency after ETV. Proper case selection, post-operative care including monitoring of ICP and need for external ventricular drain, repeated lumbar puncture and CSF drainage, Ommaya reservoir in selected patients could help to increase success rate and reduce complications. Most of the complications develop in an early post-operative, but fatal complications can develop late which indicate an importance of long term follow up.

Long-term outcome for endoscopic third ventriculostomy alone or in combination with choroid plexus cauterization for congenital aqueductal stenosis in African infants

OBJECT

The authors have previously reported on the overall improved efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) combined with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) for infants younger than 1 year of age. In the present study they specifically examined the long-term efficacy of ETV with or without CPC in 35 infants with congenital aqueduct stenosis treated at CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda during the years 2001-2006.

METHODS

Infants with congenital aqueductal stenosis were treated during 2 distinct treatment epochs: all underwent ETV alone, and subsequently all underwent ETV-CPC. Prospectively collected data in the clinical database were reviewed for all infants with an age < 1 year who had been treated for hydrocephalus due to congenital aqueductal stenosis. Study exclusion criteria included: 1) a history or findings on imaging or at the time of ventriculoscopy that suggested a possible infectious cause of the hydrocephalus, including scarred choroid plexus; 2) an open aqueduct or an aqueduct obstructed by a membrane or cyst rather than by stenosis; 3) severe malformations of the cerebral hemispheres including hydranencephaly, significant segments of undeveloped brain, or schizencephaly; 4) myelomeningocele, encephalocele, Dandy-Walker complex, or tumor; or 5) previous shunt insertion. The time to treatment failure was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method to construct survival curves. Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) and Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon tests were used to determine whether differences between the 2 treatment groups were significant.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients met the study criteria. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy alone was performed in 12 patients (mean age 4.7 months), and combined ETV-CPC was performed in 23 patients (mean age 3.5 months). For patients without treatment failure, the mean and median follow-ups were, respectively, 51.6 and 48.0 months in the ETV group and 31.2 and 26.4 months in the ETV-CPC group. Treatment was successful in 48.6% of the patients who underwent ETV alone, as accurately predicted by the Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Success Score (ETVSS), and in 81.9% of the patients who underwent ETV-CPC (p = 0.0119, log-rank test; p = 0.0041, Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon test; HR 6.42 [95% CI 1.51-27.36]).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined ETV-CPC is significantly superior to ETV alone for infants younger than 1 year of age with congenital aqueductal stenosis. The fact that the outcome for ETV alone was accurately predicted by the ETVSS suggests that these results are applicable in developed countries.

Indication for endoscopic third ventriculostomy

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is increasingly prevalent among pediatric neurosurgeons as the initial treatment for hydrocephalus. The combination of ETV and choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) has improved the success rate among infants with hydrocephalus for whom ETV alone is much less successful. In parts of the developing world where there are economic and human resource constraints, this mode of treatment may be more appropriate than the routine use of shunts, which are prone to failures that require urgent surgical treatment. Here we review indications for the use of ETV or ETV/CPC as the primary treatment for hydrocephalus.

CONCLUSION

Primary treatment of hydrocephalus by ETV can avoid shunt-dependence and its complications for many patients. Optimal results depend upon proper patient selection and the use of combined ETV/CPC when treating infants.

Preoperative third ventricular bowing as a predictor of endoscopic third ventriculostomy success

OBJECT

Patients with hydrocephalus often present with both intraventricular obstructive and communicating components, and determination of the predominant component is difficult. Other investigators have observed that third ventricular floor deformation, or "bowing" of the third ventricular floor, is a good indicator of intraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus, resulting in higher success rates with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). However, additional third ventricular bowing assessment and statistical evidence demonstrating a difference in ETV outcome with third ventricular bowing is needed. The authors hypothesized that patients with preoperative bowing of the third ventricle would exhibit greater long-term success rates after ETV and that lack of bowing would result in increased failure rates after ETV.

METHODS

The authors determined success and failure for 59 ETVs performed in 56 patients, and recorded patient age, time to failure, and preoperative third ventricular anatomy, as well as history of infection, intraventricular hemorrhage, and previous shunt. Third ventricular anatomy was assessed on MR imaging for bowing, which was classified as any of the following: depression of the third ventricular floor, enlargement of the supraoptic recess, anterior curvature of the lamina terminalis, dilation of the proximal aqueduct to a greater extent than the distal aqueduct, and blunting or posterior bowing of the suprapineal recess. Univariate and multivariate analyses of ETV failure and the time to failure were performed using logistic regression and the Cox proportional hazards model, respectively.

RESULTS

After adjusting for patient age and history of infection, there was a significant association between lack of anterior third ventricular preoperative bowing (either lamina terminalis, supraoptic recess, or third ventricular floor) and ETV failure (adjusted HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.08-7.20). Of the patients with bowing, 70.5% experienced success with ETV, as did 33.3% of the patients without bowing. Among the individual structures, absence of bowing in the anterior aspect of the third ventricular floor was significantly associated with censored time to ETV failure (multivariate HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.01-6.66; final model including age and history of infection).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of preoperative third ventricular bowing is predictive of ETV success, with nearly a 3-fold likelihood of success compared with patients treated with ETV in the absence of such bowing. Although bowing is predictive, 33% of patients without bowing were also treated successfully with ETV.

The impact of combined endoscopic third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization on the management of pediatric hydrocephalus in developing countries

OBJECTIVE

There are potentially 100,000 to 200,000 new cases of infant hydrocephalus each year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. The difficulty of accessing urgent neurosurgical care in this region substantially magnifies the risk of serious morbidity and death from shunt malfunction. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy is an excellent treatment alternative to shunt placement, but its effectiveness in young infants is substantially reduced.

METHODS

Combining endoscopic third ventriculostomy with bilateral endoscopic choroid plexus cauterization has emerged as a significantly more successful treatment option for infant hydrocephalus.

RESULTS

In Uganda, two thirds of infants younger than age 1 year and more than three fourths of children older than age 1 year undergoing the procedure have successfully avoided shunt dependence. Nearly all failures occur in the first 6 months, which, for infants, is a relatively safe time as treatment failure is visible to the mother and the need for intervention is less urgent. Clinical parameters have been identified that help predict the likelihood of treatment failure in a given patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The broader impact of this technique on the management of pediatric hydrocephalus in the developing world will be dependent on demonstration of its success when implemented by other surgeons in different patient populations, and the extent to which this treatment paradigm is ultimately adopted.