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Endoscopic third ventriculostomy prior to resection of posterior fossa tumors in children

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Abstract

Objective

Hydrocephalus is a common presenting symptom of pediatric posterior fossa tumors and often requires permanent cerebrospinal fluid diversion even after resection. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a well-established treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus in children. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that ETV prior to posterior fossa tumor resection decreases the rate of postoperative ventriculoperitonal shunt (VPS) placement.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who presented with hydrocephalus and underwent posterior fossa tumor resection between 2005 and 2016 excluding pineal and tectal tumors. The rate of postoperative VPS placement was compared in patients who underwent resection and had a VPS placed perioperatively (historical controls) with patients who underwent ETV prior to resection. The two groups were matched for demographics, tumor histology, and tumor location. We also performed a literature review of prior studies that examined the role of ETV in pediatric posterior fossa tumors.

Results

Thirty-six patients in the control group were compared to 38 patients in our study. The patients were matched across all variables (age, gender, tumor histology, and tumor locations). The rate of postoperative VPS placement was 31% in the control group compared to 16% in the ETV group. No complications were encountered during ETV.

Conclusions

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy prior to posterior fossa tumor resection in children appears to decrease the rate of postoperative VPS placement. Given its efficacy and safety, ETV should be considered prior to tumor resection in these patients.

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Abbreviations

ETV:

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

VPS:

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt

EVD:

External ventricular drainage

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA

    Fabio Frisoli

  2. Division of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Fabio Frisoli, Michael Kakareka, Phillip B. Storm & Shih-Shan Lang

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Michael Kakareka

  4. Division of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kristina A. Cole

  5. Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Angela J Waanders

  6. Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Phillip B. Storm & Shih-Shan Lang

Authors
  1. Fabio Frisoli
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  2. Michael Kakareka
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Correspondence to Shih-Shan Lang.

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Frisoli, F., Kakareka, M., Cole, K.A. et al. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy prior to resection of posterior fossa tumors in children. Childs Nerv Syst 35, 789–794 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-019-04125-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-019-04125-z

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