TITLE:
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy for Non-Tumor Obstructive Hydrocephalus in Children under Two Years of Age
AUTHORS:
Aurélien Ndoumbé, Mathieu Motah, Samuel Takongmo
KEYWORDS:
Non-Tumor Obstructive Hydrocephalus, Aqueductal Stenosis, Children under Two Years, Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.5 No.3,
July
28,
2015
ABSTRACT: The goal of this work is to report on the efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for non-tumor obstructive hydrocephalus in children aged two years and below. In the period between June 2007 and December 2014, we had performed ETV in 30 patients with hydrocephalus from diverse etiologies. Among them were eight children aged two years or below. Clinical, radiological and outcome data of these children were retrospectively reviewed to assess ETV efficiency in this age group. Eight children (6 boys, 2 girls) with age range from 6 to 24 months (mean 12.5 months, median 15 months) suffering from non-tumor obstructive hydrocephalus underwent ETV as primary treatment. Seven patients (87.5%) were under two years and 3 had less than one year of age at the time of surgery. Macro crania, suture diastasis, scalp vein bulging and sunset gaze were the most common findings on physical examination. Computed tomography scanning was done in all patients but none had magnetic resonance imaging. Hydrocephalus was due to primary (congenital) aqueductal stenosis in all cases and was associated with myelomeningocele in one. ETV was successful in 7 (87.50%) cases but failed in one. Operation time varied from 28 to 35 minutes (mean 31.12 minutes, median 31.5 minutes). No intraoperative complication occurred. The child in whom ETV failed had postoperative CSF leak. No death related to procedure occurred. Hospital stay ranged from 2 to 4 days (mean, 2.87 days, median, 3 days). Follow up range was 5.5 to 86 months (0.46 to 7.16 years); mean, 59.14 months (4.92 years); median, 45.75 months (3.81 years).