An Unusual But Possible Complication After Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy

World Neurosurg. 2021 Feb:146:287-291. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.149. Epub 2020 Dec 1.

Abstract

Background: We present an unusual but possible complication after ETV for the treatment of acute hydrocephalus due to malfunction of a previously implanted V-P shunt.

Case description: A 12-year-old male patient was urgently operated upon by means of an endoscopic third-ventriculostomy and the positioning of a temporary external ventricular catheter because of the malfunction of a previously implanted V-P shunt; immediately after the operation, the tip of the external catheter caused an obstruction of the ostomy, which was resolved with the withdrawn of catheter for circa 1 cm, left closed and ultimately removed after 4 days. The patient did not present any further symptom and remained shunt-free at the last 2-year follow-up visit.

Conclusions: One should consider such occurrence in cases of early ETV failure when a ventricular catheter is left in situ, even though temporarily.

Keywords: Complication; Endoscopic third ventriculostomy; Hydrocephalus; Obstruction; Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Equipment Failure
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnostic imaging
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery*
  • Male
  • Neuroendoscopy / adverse effects
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Third Ventricle / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventriculostomy / adverse effects*