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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. J Craniovertebr Junction 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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 Neurochir Suppl 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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D'Onofrio GF, Rapisarda A, Signorelli F, Ganau M, Chibbaro S, Montano N, Polli FM, Visocchi M. Toward the End of the Funnel: The Ventriculus Terminalis-The State of Art of an Ancient Entity with a Recent History. Acta Neurochir Suppl 2023; 135:395-397. [PMID: 38153499 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36084-8_60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The ventriculus terminalis (VT), also called the fifth ventricle, is a small cavity containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is in the conus medullaris in continuity with the central canal of the spinal cord. In adults, persistent VT is a very rare entity, and the diagnosis is incidental in most cases. Rarely, VT may become symptomatic for still-uncertain reasons but most often for its cystic dilatation. The management of these selected cases is still controversial and sometimes associated with unsatisfactory outcomes. METHODS We performed a critical review of the existing literature on the management of symptomatic VT in adults. The etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of VT are presented and discussed, focusing on the best timing for surgery. RESULTS Conservative management, marsupialization, or the placement of a T drain have been reported. The existing classifications describe the most correct approach for each clinical presentation, but scarce importance has been given to the delay from symptoms' onset to surgical treatment. CONCLUSION Although different cases have been described in the literature, this rare pathology remains unknown to most neurosurgeons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Rapisarda
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Signorelli
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Ganau
- Department of Neurosurgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Nicola Montano
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Polli
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Visocchi
- Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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Helal A, Pirina A, Sorenson TJ, Palandri G. Fenestration of Symptomatic Ventriculus Terminalis: 2-Dimensional Operative Video. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2021; 20:E293. [PMID: 33372976 DOI: 10.1093/ons/opaa372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a case of a 73 yr-old female presenting with low back pain and bilateral sciatic pain, which progressed to bilateral lower extremity weakness about 1 yr after initial presentation. Imaging of her thoraco-lumbar spine revealed a ventriculus terminalis extending from the level of the eleventh thoracic vertebra (T11) to the first lumbar vertebra (L1). Ventriculus terminalis is an embryological ependymal lined cavity that normally regresses with development. In individuals with persistent ventriculus terminalis, it is usually incidentally noted during spine imaging for other purposes. Surgery is seldom indicated except for patients presenting with progressive neurological deficits. Patient was taken to surgery for fenestration of the ventriculus and decompression of the spinal canal. The patient was positioned prone, and after proper localization the vertebral column was exposed through a midline approach and a central laminectomy was performed from T11-L1. Intraoperative monitoring was used throughout the procedure. This video illustrates the gross appearance of a ventriculus terminalis, dissection of surrounding neural elements, and decompression of the ventriculus using a wide fenestration technique. All relevant patient identifiers have been removed from the video. Nevertheless, patient consent was obtained regarding video recording and redistribution of procedure for educational purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Helal
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alessandro Pirina
- Unit of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Palandri
- Unit of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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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