Outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in hydrocephalus

To elucidate the outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy [ETV] in patients with hydrocephalus. Descriptive case series. Neurosurgery Department Peoples Medical College Nawabshah, from 1[st] January 2009 to 31[st] December 2009. Patients aged more than 2 years with hydrocephalus were included. Endoscope used with free hand technique and third ventriculostomy performed with Fogarty balloon. Success was defined with clinical improvement and radiological reduction in ventricular size. The study population consisted 19 patients with male preponderance 12 [63.15%] males and 7 [36.84%] females. Age ranged from 3 years to 55 years with mean age 20.8 years. Shunt conversion was done in 5 patients [26.31%]. The most common indication was tuberculous meningitis. Success rate was 68.41% [13 cases]. ETV is an alternative and effective method of treating hydrocephalus in patients with normal ventricular anatomy and thin membrane at the third ventricular floor. Patients with thick membrane and tuberculous meningitis and obscure anatomy had high failure rate

Thoracic intramedullary epidermoid with paraplegia for 12 years

A man presented with progressive motor and sensory loss in both lower limbs for 12 years with fecal and urinary incontinence MRI of dorsal spine showed an intramedullary mass in the dorsal cord at D5-D6 level which had a pearly white appearance on exploration. Complete excision was performed leading to good recovery in sensation, movements and sphincter control. Epidermoids should be considered in differential diagnosis of intramedullary tumours. Their removal leads to complete recovery